HAYC3 Sponsored Meeting Well Attended
by Bea Peterson
Heroin use is an epidemic in this country, this state, this area, this community, this very minute. A panel of experts in various fields, including law enforcement, mental health, social media and addiction recovery, addressed the crowd of more than 100 people who attended the HAYC3 sponsored Town Meeting on Wednesday, April 23. [private]The downstairs room of the Armory was filled to overflowing with a mix of people. Town Supervisor Mark Surdam and Deputy Supervisor Jeff Wysocki, Village Mayor David Borge and Deputy Mayor Ric DiDonato, Town and Village Justices Tom Restino and Dick Whalen, HFCS Superintendent Ken Facin and Board President Greg Laurin, Pharmacist Jim Monahan, HACA Vice President Fr. Tom Zelker, just to name a few, were all present. There were teachers, coaches, parents, with and without their children, teens and senior citizens as well. They were residents of the Village and of the Town. They were the community, and they wanted to know what their community was up against.
HAYC3 Director Aelish Nealon opened the meeting suggesting everyone read an article in the April 10, 2014, issue of Rolling Stone magazine titled “The New Face of Heroin” by David Amsden. Copies were available in the Armory, and the article can be found on line.
One of the speakers was former Hoosick Falls resident Jim Baker. He retired as the head of the Vermont State Police and is now Chief of Police in Rutland, VT. He said that the heroin problem is a national crisis and a gigantic mental health issue. He said the Mexican and Colombian cartels are well established. They are the major sources of supply into New York. “They are making a clear effort to target the entire eastern seaboard,” he said. He puts part of the blame on the medical community, noting that in Vermont, at one point, a million plus oxycodone pills were prescribed to the state’s 67,000 residents. Eighty percent of heroin users, he said, start with pharmaceuticals. He said a $3 bag of heroin in NYC will sell for $20 a bag in this area. It is nothing for an addict to consume 20 or 30 or even 50 bags of heroin a day! Baker said addiction affects all walks of life. When the habit becomes more than the addict can afford, that’s when lying and stealing comes into play. Family members who ignore the personality changes or the jewelry stolen or the missing checks enable the addict to continue to use drugs. It’s important not to be an enabler. “We need to step up, to own up to the problem,” he said.
Hoosick Falls Deputy Police Chief Harold McClellan was impressed with the fantastic gathering at the Armory. He said a combination of law enforcement, education and counseling are all necessary to combat this problem. Families need to communicate. He said that from a law enforcement perspective parents and grandparents are scared to death. “In the 1970s heroin was 10 to 12 percent pure,” he said. “Today it’s 50 percent pure and laced with fentynal [a powerful man-made opioid].”
Sgt. Shane Holcolm of the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office said things have changed over the years. He emphasized knowledge is power. “Talk to your kids,” he said. “It’s never too early.” His 13 year old son is seeing sales and drug addiction at his school. “It’s never too late to get in the game,” he said. “Don’t say it couldn’t be my kid. Anyone can be an addict.”
“Do heroin once, you’re an addict for life,” Holcolm said. “It’s a short trip from pills to heroin addiction. Dealers are motivated by greed. Addicts deal to support their habit. Ten to 15 years ago we didn’t see overdoses. Now we see them every day.”
Licensed Mental Health Counselor Chris Sherman said adolescents in families where there is alcohol and drug abuse or physical abuse are more vulnerable to drug addiction. He said there are youngsters age ten and up using alcohol. It’s important that parents, the school and the community be aware of the signs that lead to problems such as depression, low self-esteem, not fitting in, feeling disenfranchised or a family history of problems. When a personality change is noted, such as starting arguments, accidents, violence or suicidal tendencies, something should be done.
Alcohol use leads to poor judgment, especially in a young developing brain, and this makes them more vulnerable to other drugs, Sherman added.
“It starts at home,” said Sherman. “But parents can’t do it alone they need the community to support them.”
Social Media Strategist Brian Bushner stressed how important it is for parents to monitor what their kids are doing on their cell phones and their computers. He described terrifying apps that have no age discrimination on them. It’s important for parents to know the newest technology and to be aware of what their kids are viewing, he said. “You’re the parent, and it’s important that you educate yourself. Social media can be dangerous.”
Doug Davidson said he is “proud to be recovering.” His dad was an alcoholic. He drank while serving in Vietnam but found heroin much more pleasant. He has two daughters in recovery. He was sober and straight for 17 years when he started using drugs again. He admitted to stealing, cheating and lying to support his habit. He overdosed and almost died. “Medicated recovery saved my life,” he said. He wanted everyone to know there can be a future for an addict, but it takes a recovery center, support and strength of character.
Hoosick Falls Police Chief Robert Ashe said he was proud of this community and the turnout for this meeting. He said there are serious drugs coming in from outside this community. He said this is the route from Troy to Rutland. “This is the little Village of Hoosick Falls, and it’s [incidents] happening here,” he said. Sunday night two Officers arrested a person with AIDS and mental health issues. Saturday night there was a DWI stop where the person’s alcohol tested .31.
Addressing the young people in the audience he said, “Kids, you are our future, step up to the plate. Reach out to your friends. Don’t let them get hooked. Parents, become savvy. Explain what heroin looks like and what it can do. Be active; if a child is bullied, get involved.
The Chief pointed out that drug users are different from drug suppliers. The problem is the law doesn’t differentiate. Dealers belong in prison. Users need help and love. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help,” he said. “There are many resources out there. Don’t think you’re the only one. Don’t be afraid to reach out.”
A question from the audience was where does one go for help. Admittedly resources are limited. There’s the United Counseling Services or Unified Services locally or the hospital in Bennington. Often there’s a waiting list to get into recovery facilities.
Coach and elementary school teacher Ron Jones said he sees a number of real problems with some of the kids in the elementary school and it scares him. McClelland responded that the Police Department is working with the school to improve their presence and offer support to these youngsters.
School Superintendent Facin said this meeting opened up communication tremendously. “Don’t stop,” he said. “It’s important what HAYC3 is doing.”
There’s a possibility of losing a generation if something isn’t done. It was noted that 54 percent of youngsters today are not prepared for kindergarten and 42 percent of newborn babies are addicted to drugs. There is no quick fix to this community issue.
It was pointed out that what has to be remembered is there is a great number of good young people out there who are not involved in drugs, and they deserve consideration and respect.
Empty Medicine Cabinets
A very basic starting point in any household is to get rid of unused drugs in the family medicine cabinet. Last Saturday was Prescription Drug Dropoff Day at the Hoosick Falls Police Department. Many people did drop off their prescriptions. However, Chief Ashe said prescriptions can be left at the Police station any time and they will be disposed of properly.
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