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Drug & Alcohol Commission targets Punxsutawney for drug prevention aid |
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Front Page -
Front Page Story
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Written by Mike Ishman
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Tuesday, 17 November 2009 |
During the Focus Group Monday, lists were made of the strengths and weaknesses of the Punxsutawney area, as well as this wish list for drug and alcohol prevention efforts in Punxsutawney. The list is wide ranging, including parent education, community involvement, unstructured activities and treatment options. (Photo by Mike Ishman)
PUNXSUTAWNEY — Nearly 50 members of the Punxsutawney community met Monday at the Jefferson County Housing Authority building to discuss, among other things, the town's strengths and weaknesses, and how those relate to the drug use that has risen markedly over the past several years.
The Clearfield-Jefferson Drug & Alcohol Commission held the focus group with an audience that included representatives from various social service groups, law enforcement, government, the court system, businesses and more.
According to commission Deputy Executive Director Susan Ford, the large turnout "exceeded" its expectations, with it being one of the largest she has seen for a focus group.
"Almost 50 people sitting [at the focus group] is phenomenal," she said.
According to Ford, the commission is asked every two years to create a prevention plan for submission to the Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs. To do this, the group looks at, among other things, crime reports, student assistance program statistics and reported overdoses.
This year, it was asked to target one community to focus its efforts to help combat drug use.
With heroin usage increasing by more than 200 percent in Jefferson and Clearfield counties in the past five years — including at least 10 overdoses in the area the past two years and an increase in the number of people seeking treatment — Punxsutawney was chosen to be targeted for prevention plans, Ford said.
Punxsutawney was also chosen based on the fact that the community is willing to get involved and take action against drug usage.
"We need to take a look at what we can do, together, to evoke some change," Ford said.
As the group identified the town's strengths, Mayor James Wehrle said that the community banding together for benefits is always near the top of his list.
"The people of Punxsutawney support four to five different causes at one time," he said. "The generosity of the community amazes people from the outside."
Ben Hughes said that the collaborative spirit between the agencies is also something of note.
"Not only is it good, but it's getting better," he said.
Among Punxsutawney's other strengths included were the school system, media outlets, treatment services, active law enforcement and strong moral values among young people.
After the list of strengths, the group was asked to ponder the weaknesses of the town.
Among the weaknesses mentioned were a limited amount of recreational activities for those in their teenage years and up.
"If Punxsutawney is like other small towns, we are very good for organizing structured events for younger children; as they grow older, we fall away from that," Ford said.
Punxsutawney Borough Police Officer Ryan Miller added that prevention is key to the drug problem.
"Pee-testing kids is great, but by the time it lights up like a Christmas tree, it's too late." Miller said, adding that drug dealers should be targeted.
A member of the Mayor's Drug Task Force, Ed Boston, said community involvement in the task force is poor, and that despite people saying they want to get involved, people do not come to the meetings.
"What do you have to do to get people to want to open their eyes to the problem?" he said.
Jefferson County District Attorney Jeff Burkett believes the problem lies beyond education and programs.
"I've prosecuted a number of cases lately, cases in which I'm getting a window into the lives of young people in this day and age," he said. "There is so much pain and hurt and brokenness in family relationships and rejection.
"There is a generation of kids that are hurting, and they turn to whatever can medicate the hurt," Burkett said. "That's a big part of what we are talking about. They are going to medicate their pain."
Other problems include the lack of local detox access, the recidivism rates for frequent drug users/criminals, and a lack of personal responsibility and accountability in young people.
After discussing the strengths and weaknesses of Punxsutawney, Ford asked that the group talk about a wish list for drug and prevention efforts in Punxsutawney.
One member of the group believes there needs to be more unstructured, open doors to Punxsutawney's youth.
Other suggestions included holding meetings to draw youth; more education for parents; additional funding; access to treatment; more involvement from the schools and the faith community; and getting youth involved in organizations such as the Mayor's Drug Task Force and town hall meetings.
"This doesn't end here," Ford said. "This is just the beginning."
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 18 November 2009 )
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