Schools take steps to fight drugs after possible overdose deaths
Area police say they are aware of drug problems
By MARIDEE LAWSON
Daily Journal Staff Writer
Daily Journal Staff Writer
Published: Monday, November 02, 2009
Updated: Monday, November 2, 2009 7:56 AM CST
Updated: Monday, November 2, 2009 7:56 AM CST
With a few recent drug-suspected deaths, local school districts are taking steps to educate the staff and teachers about possible signs of drug use and raise awareness.
Farmington School District Interim Superintendent Jerome Watson said the school district is hoping to make the tragedies into a positive thing — at least to some degree. During the November professional development meeting for teachers within the district, administrators are hoping to provide training for the staff to review and help refresh everyone on recognizing the signs of drug use.
A task force of local municipalities and highway patrol officers has been set up and are speaking, talking and doing what they can publicly to combat drug abuse. The school district is working to line up a drug task force officer to speak with teachers in the district during the upcoming professional development training.
Watson said rumors have been flying about increased drugs in the school lately, but that he wasn’t going to comment on the rumors. He said to his knowledge there is no truth to them at this time.
West County Superintendent Stacy Stevens said his district is in the process of working with videos and handouts to educate their teachers. They are always working with health officials and police to keep the staff educated.
A meeting is scheduled for Wednesday to work with staff and students about drug awareness. He added that they haven’t seen an increase or decrease in drug-related incidents this year. They do know that there are issues and the staff works with students to help them. He said that it is always there but things happen sometimes to remind you that they are still there.
He noted that the district is small and the staff and students are around each other enough for the staff to notice a change in students’ behaviors. Whether it’s home issues or drugs they will be able to recognize problems and help the students.
North County Associate Superintendent Mike Henderson said do what they can in their district. They have Red Ribbon week and the DARE program that brings awareness to students. They also work through the police department and staff to make students and parents aware.
Henderson said the district has had fewer drug problems in the past two or three years. He doesn’t know if that’s because kids don’t use school grounds anymore for drug activity or if there are fewer students using drugs.
As of right now the North County School District is not planning to have anyone come in and speak with teachers and staff. However, he noted that they have in the past had officers and counselors come in and speak about the effects and signs of drug use.
He added that the school is monitoring the drug use in the district and if they see a need for the speakers to come in to discuss drug use with teachers, they will bring them in.
Central Superintendent Dr. Desi Mayberry said that the district has the same things as they always had with the early intervention. An administrative meeting is planned for Thursday to discuss what the district is doing, are drug issues rising and does the district need to do more?
Central School District is taking a closer look at taking precautions to help educate students. They have a school resource officer and he is looking into what they can do to keep students safe.
They are looking at the recent drug-related deaths and heroin is the big question at this time with drug education. He added that they don’t know if this is an isolated incident or going to be a bigger problem.
The district has the RSA (Rebel Student Association) that works with the DARE program to help educate students about drugs and drinking and driving.
“We hope that this isn’t an indicator as a drug of choice. Not that we want any, but the drug of choice always changes,” said Mayberry.
Bismarck Superintendent Dr. Damon Gamble said that the Bismarck School District hasn’t noticed anything out of the ordinary. He talked to the principals last week and asked what they were hearing or if they had found out anything. Both said that it wasn’t really an issue at this point, but they were monitoring the situation and would keep the staff updated.
He added that they will do anything they feel is necessary to help the students. They are trying to be as prepared and as proactive as they can at this point.
Farmington Police Chief Rick Baker and St. Francois County Sheriff Dan Bullock both said the toxicology screenings are not back from any of the recent deaths, or near deaths, in the community or surrounding area that are believed to be drug related. However, Baker did say there have been some eye witness accounts, and one is said to have involved heroin.
A local woman overdosed but she was taken to the hospital and treated and survived. A witness later said she had a drug problem, and it involved heroin. Baker added that without the toxicology reports they have no way of knowing right now whether recent deaths involved heroin.
Bullock said that there have been three possible heroin deaths and a few others in the county have overdosed, but lived. County law enforcement officials know that drugs are here and they have dealt with several cases lately. They are taking measures to work on them.
He said that they have seen several cases of heroin use lately and there have probably been several that they don’t know of at this time. It’s not just in one particular area, its all over the county, he said. He noted that it is not just a local problem but it is state wide now. In the past year heroin has been seen in the area and he believes it’s coming from the St. Louis area.
Bullock added that methamphetamine and marijuana is also coming back to the area.
The chief added that an officer in the Narcotics Division of the police department has commented there have been a handful of cases recently. Baker added that there has not been a large heroin problem in the area for years, and that one or two cases within a short period of time is an “increase.”
“Rumors are all over. I don’t know why people do it. You don’t know how pure it is and how much you are getting when you buy it. If you take too much, it can kill you. It’s not like prescription pills where you have the milligrams on the label. Pills are bad enough, but with (pills) you know what you are getting yourself into,” Baker said.
The chief said that drugs are all around the area, not just in Farmington and the high school. There has been information that drugs are coming from St. Louis. He said he doesn’t believe it’s any worse than any other time. He said the drugs are a social problem like alcohol.
Bullock wants to remind parents to talk to their kids about drugs and know what they are doing. He said that they have seen it more between 25 year olds down to school age. Heroin is much more deadly than other drugs in the public.
The chief added that people ask him what the police are doing to help the teen drug situation. He said it begins with the parents. They need to be more concerned, know who their kids are with, and what they are doing at all times. They need to be talking to them and looking for things ... it’s not just the police officers’ job. He believes everyone needs to do their part. It’s a joint effort.
Bullock wants to assure the public that they are aware there is a problem, and the local police departments and sheriffs department know that it’s here. They are working and collecting information. If anyone has any information on drugs in the area, Bullock said they should call local police departments, the sheriffs department or the highway patrol. All calls can be anonymous.
Maridee Lawson is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 756-8927 or mlawson@dailyjournalonline.com.
Farmington School District Interim Superintendent Jerome Watson said the school district is hoping to make the tragedies into a positive thing — at least to some degree. During the November professional development meeting for teachers within the district, administrators are hoping to provide training for the staff to review and help refresh everyone on recognizing the signs of drug use.
A task force of local municipalities and highway patrol officers has been set up and are speaking, talking and doing what they can publicly to combat drug abuse. The school district is working to line up a drug task force officer to speak with teachers in the district during the upcoming professional development training.
Watson said rumors have been flying about increased drugs in the school lately, but that he wasn’t going to comment on the rumors. He said to his knowledge there is no truth to them at this time.
West County Superintendent Stacy Stevens said his district is in the process of working with videos and handouts to educate their teachers. They are always working with health officials and police to keep the staff educated.
A meeting is scheduled for Wednesday to work with staff and students about drug awareness. He added that they haven’t seen an increase or decrease in drug-related incidents this year. They do know that there are issues and the staff works with students to help them. He said that it is always there but things happen sometimes to remind you that they are still there.
He noted that the district is small and the staff and students are around each other enough for the staff to notice a change in students’ behaviors. Whether it’s home issues or drugs they will be able to recognize problems and help the students.
North County Associate Superintendent Mike Henderson said do what they can in their district. They have Red Ribbon week and the DARE program that brings awareness to students. They also work through the police department and staff to make students and parents aware.
Henderson said the district has had fewer drug problems in the past two or three years. He doesn’t know if that’s because kids don’t use school grounds anymore for drug activity or if there are fewer students using drugs.
As of right now the North County School District is not planning to have anyone come in and speak with teachers and staff. However, he noted that they have in the past had officers and counselors come in and speak about the effects and signs of drug use.
He added that the school is monitoring the drug use in the district and if they see a need for the speakers to come in to discuss drug use with teachers, they will bring them in.
Central Superintendent Dr. Desi Mayberry said that the district has the same things as they always had with the early intervention. An administrative meeting is planned for Thursday to discuss what the district is doing, are drug issues rising and does the district need to do more?
Central School District is taking a closer look at taking precautions to help educate students. They have a school resource officer and he is looking into what they can do to keep students safe.
They are looking at the recent drug-related deaths and heroin is the big question at this time with drug education. He added that they don’t know if this is an isolated incident or going to be a bigger problem.
The district has the RSA (Rebel Student Association) that works with the DARE program to help educate students about drugs and drinking and driving.
“We hope that this isn’t an indicator as a drug of choice. Not that we want any, but the drug of choice always changes,” said Mayberry.
Bismarck Superintendent Dr. Damon Gamble said that the Bismarck School District hasn’t noticed anything out of the ordinary. He talked to the principals last week and asked what they were hearing or if they had found out anything. Both said that it wasn’t really an issue at this point, but they were monitoring the situation and would keep the staff updated.
He added that they will do anything they feel is necessary to help the students. They are trying to be as prepared and as proactive as they can at this point.
Farmington Police Chief Rick Baker and St. Francois County Sheriff Dan Bullock both said the toxicology screenings are not back from any of the recent deaths, or near deaths, in the community or surrounding area that are believed to be drug related. However, Baker did say there have been some eye witness accounts, and one is said to have involved heroin.
A local woman overdosed but she was taken to the hospital and treated and survived. A witness later said she had a drug problem, and it involved heroin. Baker added that without the toxicology reports they have no way of knowing right now whether recent deaths involved heroin.
Bullock said that there have been three possible heroin deaths and a few others in the county have overdosed, but lived. County law enforcement officials know that drugs are here and they have dealt with several cases lately. They are taking measures to work on them.
He said that they have seen several cases of heroin use lately and there have probably been several that they don’t know of at this time. It’s not just in one particular area, its all over the county, he said. He noted that it is not just a local problem but it is state wide now. In the past year heroin has been seen in the area and he believes it’s coming from the St. Louis area.
Bullock added that methamphetamine and marijuana is also coming back to the area.
The chief added that an officer in the Narcotics Division of the police department has commented there have been a handful of cases recently. Baker added that there has not been a large heroin problem in the area for years, and that one or two cases within a short period of time is an “increase.”
“Rumors are all over. I don’t know why people do it. You don’t know how pure it is and how much you are getting when you buy it. If you take too much, it can kill you. It’s not like prescription pills where you have the milligrams on the label. Pills are bad enough, but with (pills) you know what you are getting yourself into,” Baker said.
The chief said that drugs are all around the area, not just in Farmington and the high school. There has been information that drugs are coming from St. Louis. He said he doesn’t believe it’s any worse than any other time. He said the drugs are a social problem like alcohol.
Bullock wants to remind parents to talk to their kids about drugs and know what they are doing. He said that they have seen it more between 25 year olds down to school age. Heroin is much more deadly than other drugs in the public.
The chief added that people ask him what the police are doing to help the teen drug situation. He said it begins with the parents. They need to be more concerned, know who their kids are with, and what they are doing at all times. They need to be talking to them and looking for things ... it’s not just the police officers’ job. He believes everyone needs to do their part. It’s a joint effort.
Bullock wants to assure the public that they are aware there is a problem, and the local police departments and sheriffs department know that it’s here. They are working and collecting information. If anyone has any information on drugs in the area, Bullock said they should call local police departments, the sheriffs department or the highway patrol. All calls can be anonymous.
Maridee Lawson is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 756-8927 or mlawson@dailyjournalonline.com.
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Article Comments (17)The comments below are from readers and do not represent the views of the Daily Journal.
simpledad posted at Friday, November 27th, 2009 at 9:49 am
as all have commented both of my children went to farmington and for the most part had a good high school to attend but as others have posted what do you do to help with the drug problem well a couple of years ago a teacher/coach tried to get a mandatory drug screening off the ground as i know this person trust me he researched this idea long and hard to screen all programs on the school campus it was shot down quickly i ask him why, he said of fear for law suits and cost to do it. go figure? i as any person ask is there fear that the wrong may be caught as it was mentioned if it was a child from a good family what is the difference looking at a child from that or just a normal family in a casket any different. as others stated if you save one just one child it would be worth it but if some of the upstanding people in this town or any town would it be to them embarrassment or fear of truth i think there needs to be some kind program like this teacher/coach tried
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overthetop posted at Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 11:57 pm
Children need the constant reminders of the dangers of drugs, sometimes it teaches them to much and they experiment. Schools are not allowed to search students without probable cause. If drug dogs are brought in they will find some drugs, but pills are undetectable. Students see it, my children tell me they see it daily, but authorities with the school are to afraid of falsely accusing a student and creating a lawsuit. School districts need to change policies and do routine searches for everyone, they would be amazed at their findings. Sadly all they are concerned with is keeping scores up to keep their funding.
odear posted at Sunday, November 8th, 2009 at 7:07 am
jimbo, some administrators in our district told the teachers that if they have students as Facebook friends, they could lose their jobs. That may be a little extreme, but one does have to be careful these days about communication online. This is really more of a parenting issue. But, then again, the schools are finding themselves taking over more and more parenting duties--feeding kids two meals and a snack, finding them clothes and coats when they don't have them, getting them school supplies because they are without.... I guess online monitoring could be the next logical step.
jimbo258 posted at Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
Why is everyone so worried about hard drugs? The real problem is underage drinking. I didnt know it was possible to look at a facebook or myspace account of one high schooler and not see the words party or drink. Colleges monitor facebook accounts by having campus security be undercover facebook "friends" and check for drinking in dorm rooms. With half of the teachers at central being friends with their students, there is no way that they are oblivious to the pics and comments on these pages. Step it up teachers. You need to be leading the students in the right direction. Not turning your head.
LoveYourNeighbor posted at Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
The Professor: It delights me to read your post. You are right on target!!! Wish there were more people like you in our community.
TheProfessor posted at Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 12:45 am
End the war on drugs. Let's wage a war on poverty. Let's wage a war on corporate irresponsibility. Let's wage a war on stupidity. Win those wars, and I imagine that the war on drugs will be a little easier to manage.
dbaks posted at Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 11:33 pm
I understand drugs are a "social" thing, but what are we doing to teach our kids coping skills so that they don't look to drugs? I mean, that's why they do drugs in the first place, because they don't know how to cope. If they were comfortable saying no or if they didn't need the "crutch" of a drug, maybe they would never try it...? I could be wrong, but I've never tried any drugs. So, if they have a healthy mind and 1) don't give in to peer pressure or 2) aren't looking for a way to drown their sorrows...why would they have an interest in drugs? I'm not saying having coping skills makes you immortal, but it would sure help!
Common Sense posted at Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 10:13 am
I wish Mr. Watson the best of luck -- he is going to need it.
Issues such as these and others have long been ignored -- head in the sand routine.
Partly because they did not want the "press" and secondly, "well, they come from a good family."
The high school and middle school need to be more proactive - bring in the drug dogs, search lockers, be more restrictive on movement about the school campus, and just be nosy.
I checked my kids' rooms, friends, and even followed them on occasion to see if they were going where they said. Parenting is not easy -- we are not their friends, maybe later in life. I have good, grown kids.
I am watching and waiting to see what actually happens........
Issues such as these and others have long been ignored -- head in the sand routine.
Partly because they did not want the "press" and secondly, "well, they come from a good family."
The high school and middle school need to be more proactive - bring in the drug dogs, search lockers, be more restrictive on movement about the school campus, and just be nosy.
I checked my kids' rooms, friends, and even followed them on occasion to see if they were going where they said. Parenting is not easy -- we are not their friends, maybe later in life. I have good, grown kids.
I am watching and waiting to see what actually happens........
blasterrat posted at Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 9:11 am
mbser;Like I said.You are basing your assumrtion on the drug problem getting worse.That doesnt mean the program or task force doesnt work.If the DARE program keeps one lone child from letting drugs ruin their life then its worth every penney spent.Could it be that you are assumming the task force is useless because your seeing more arrests?,therefore thinking it must not work because more and more people are in the news over drugs.To make an accurate assumption you would need facts that tell how many kids have made the choice to NOT do drugs.Facts related to numbers of arrests made compared with percentages of population taking in account population growth.Bottem line is any amount of tax money spent to improve the chances of a successful life for our kids is NOT wasted money.Its money well spent.All money spent to arrest and remove from the streets persons who sell drugs that our kids get addicted to is also well spent.The Heroin of today is much more pure and we have much more available than we did thirty years ago.Now your own words say they are doing something,but yet you deem them a failure.Which is it?
eornut posted at Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 6:02 pm
sissy,
As a parent who has a teen on both myspace and Facebook I take time to go into my childs accounts,I use the info that I was given by my child & read everything ! So far I have not seen anything that needs to be reported to the police but if every parent was like this then maybe just maybe we could save our child or someones child ! Sure some say it is a violation of privacy for the child but the terms are if they want to use the sites then the parents need to be able to over look thier shoulders to ensure thier safety !!
And if I saw something yes I would say something not just to the police but to the childs parents as well !!
As a parent who has a teen on both myspace and Facebook I take time to go into my childs accounts,I use the info that I was given by my child & read everything ! So far I have not seen anything that needs to be reported to the police but if every parent was like this then maybe just maybe we could save our child or someones child ! Sure some say it is a violation of privacy for the child but the terms are if they want to use the sites then the parents need to be able to over look thier shoulders to ensure thier safety !!
And if I saw something yes I would say something not just to the police but to the childs parents as well !!
superbiff posted at Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Marijuana is coming back to the area? Thank goodness! I was afraid you were actually doing your job because it was getting kind of dry around here! Thanks, Sheriff Bullock!
mbser posted at Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 11:34 am
blasterrat - How can you say that the failed DARE program isn't a complete and utter waste of tax dollars? It has been in St.Francois County since 1991 and the drug problem has done nothing but get worse. If it were such a success wouldn't you think that the dug addiction rate might be going down instead of up? Also, why is heroin suddenly such a big deal? It has been here for years and never dealt with by the task force. Why are they just now deciding to do something?
blasterrat posted at Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 9:55 am
mbser;I dont agree.Theese things you speak of arent failures.Your correct as for parents need to set good examples.But to deem the Dare program,and the Task Forse as failure based on the fact that drugs are still a problem is nonsense.The task force has made many arrest,taking several drug dealers off the street.I am certain the Dare program has encouraged more than one child to make the right choice and not let drugs into their lives.Drugs will always be a problem in our society.Our efforts to combat them will bring positive results.So the more effort we put into the war on drugs the more success we will get,even though a total win is likely unattainable.To say theese efforts are unsuccessfull is only adding fuel to the fire and contributing to the problem.Instead of sitting back calling our efforts failures perhaps you could do your part and participate in the war on drugs by supporting the efforts of others.Shame on you.Think positive.Ask yourself how you can help save our kids from drug addiction.Are you doing all that you can to help?Finally dont ever give up and assume failure.Failure is not an option.Our choices is what makes the difference.
sissy posted at Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 11:24 pm
Is there anyway the authorities can read facebook or myspace? The names and the things our school age children are doing is right there. I wish the parents would read some of that. They just might be able to save some of the kids on it, and just maybe their own. So sad.......
mawmaw24 posted at Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 10:13 pm
If these irresponsible parents haven't raised their kids responsibly by now, what do you think is going to change about it? If the parents have failed them, perhaps the kids could look to another adult for some of that lesson, as well as trust and support. It may be dare, a teacher, neighbor, or friend. We can't just say the parents screwed up and leave it at that. The kids will grow up and repeat the same irresponsible lifestyle. Condemning the kids for the parents poor choices isn't going to help either.
blasterrat posted at Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 10:52 am
First let me say those rumors of a Heroin problem in our area arent rumors.Heroin use in this area in my opinion are reaching epedemic proportions,I estimate up to 25% of 20 to 30 year olds in our area have or do use Heroin.I suggest anyone who uses pain medicine to lock it up in a safe place.When Heroin isnt available theese medicines are the next best thing for the user,after all its Heroin in a different form.Opiates are a growing problem and those who use them for legitamate purposes such as chronic pain should take steps to keep them out of the hands of abusers.Locking up your meds is how we can help this problem.Another way is to get involved.Be vigilant,watch others,look for high traffic going to and from,and report all suspected activity to your local police department.You dont have to tell them who you are,and they wont bite you.In fact they would be happy to hear from you regarding issues like illegal drugs.Heroin is an awful drug that usually ends with the users death or jail time for them.SPEAK UP PEOPLE!
mbser posted at Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 10:28 am
The failed DARE program isn't going to fix anything as time has already shown. If this task force maintains it's current track record then it too will be as useless as the DARE program. Teachers can't fix what should have been taught at home. Children need to be shown at home by example on how to live. Since children often mimic mom and dad, a reasonable deduction would indicate that the DARE program has failed since most parents are graduates.
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