Pubdate: Fri, 21 Jan 2005 Source: North Andover Citizen (MA) Copyright: 2005 North Andover Citizen Contact: http://www.townonline.com/northandover/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3270 Author: Marissa Carfagna Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/oxycontin.htm (Oxycontin/Oxycodone) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) DRUG USE INCREASES AMONG LOCAL TEENS There are different theories on why teens use drugs. There are also different opinions on how drugs affect young people both physically and emotionally. And there are different ideas on how best to solve the problem of drug abuse. But one thing nearly everyone agrees on is the problem is growing more serious everywhere, including North Andover. Local teens, adults, community leaders and police agree that there are plenty of drugs in and around town. According to one junior at North Andover High, who agreed to be called Anne for this story, 15 to 20 teens in each grade use and sell drugs all around town, including on school property. "I have seen two students on the school bus exchanging drugs," she said. Students who sell the drugs are usually the so called "punk/rebel" types, she said. They have their own group of friends, but they talk to everybody and influence other students to experiment with drugs, she added. Lauren Smart, who graduated from North Andover High with the class of 2001, agreed drug use is more widespread than when she was in school, in part because it's now so accessible. "If I wanted to go smoke some crack I could just go downtown and get some," she said. Smart, 21, believes that kids in North Andover use drugs out of boredom. She feels the town doesn't offer teens enough options and places to go to spend their time. Jennifer Murabito, who also graduated with the class of 2001, also said drug use is more of a problem in town now than when she was in high school. She noted that there have been several deaths from drug overdoses over the past few years. Murabito believes more teens are drawn into drug use because of peer pressure. "They (students) probably feel like they need to fit in with a group," she said. Anne, Smart and Murabito all agree that teens and adults need to work together on the problem of drug use and abuse. Anne said there are no drug education programs at the high school. There is a health class for sophomores where students learn about drugs, but they are not told not to use them. She believes school officials and police should be clear with teens about the consequences of taking and selling drugs. Smart also believes that school officials need to build up a relationship of trust with students. She said the students need to feel comfortable with the school officials and know they are not going to get in trouble with their peers for telling the authorities which students are involved with drugs. Murabito feels parents also need to be more aware of what their kids are doing and who they are doing it with. "When parents don't know where their kids are they get into trouble more," she said. For Police Lt. Paul Gallagher and Youth Services Director Rick Gorman, who have watched the local drug problem escalate over the past couple years, all of those suggestions are solid advice. Cheap heroin Gallagher is concerned not only with the increased amount of drug use, but also with the types of drugs teens are now using. "A few years back the gateway drugs such as alcohol and marijuana were the general issue," he said. "Now people are taking heroin because it is so cheap." Gorman said kids have always done drugs. The difference now is that the drug of choice has changed, as has its availability. "Heroin and OxyContin are more of an issue now," Gorman said. According to Gallagher, kids are getting their drugs from cities such as Lawrence, Haverhill and the Boston area. He also said that the exits in town have been a problem before. There have been many arrests at the exit right off of Route 495 and Route 114. Like Anne, Smart and Murabito, Gallagher believes teens and adults need to work together to solve the problem of drug abuse. Although he knows that some teens and even some parents may be reluctant to talk to police about someone with a drug problem, Gallagher stressed that police are far more interested in helping young people than in arresting them. Parents' role As for parents, Gallagher urged them to be aware and involved in the lives of their kids. There are some simple warning signs that parents can look for, such as mood changes and apathy in school and other activities. Gorman's advice to parents is not to minimize the problem, and to be direct in getting help and support for the child and the family. "It's not only going to affect kids, but the families also," he said. Youth Services is working to expand its role in drug education. Gorman wants to make sure parents and kids know how serious the problem is. "They cannot deny that it's an issue they have to deal with it," Gorman said. "We want to try to educate our young kids about the dangers of drugs." Parents and teens who believe someone they know may have a drug problem can call the School Department hotline. They can also call the Police Department and talk to one of the detectives. The calls that come in will be anonymous or confidential. Gallagher urged parents to start talking to their children about drugs in elementary school. He also said parents can find help and advice through Youth Services Director Rick Gorman, the two school resource officers at the high school and by visiting the police Web site at www.NAPD.US - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake