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04-01-2004, 05:56 PM
While several anti-drug support and prevention groups continue to address concerns of an increasing drug problem locally, the rate of drug-related deaths among youths continue to rise.
Franklin County Coroner Jeff Conner confirmed the trend last week when he released the causes of deaths of four young people in the area since February 2003.
Conner reported the deaths of 23-year-old Darla J. Martin, Chambersburg, 25-year-old Michael E. Blubaugh, Fayetteville, and 16-year-old Jennifer Robinson, Chambersburg, were caused by heroin overdose.
The death of 22-year-old Brent Johnson, Waynesboro, was due to a mixed drug toxicity from methadone and prescription drugs, according to Conner. Conner added that heroin played no part in Johnson's July 11, 2003 death.
"Why heroin is here in the area is a question for the county drug task force and police authorities to answer," Conner said. "All I know is, it's here."
Conner said that noticing an increasing trend of heroin-related death this past year has been eye-opening.
"You've got to wonder when it's going to stop," Conner said. "When are the kids going to realize it can kill them."
The Franklin County Drug Coalition, a countywide group spurred by George Reitz, met this week to discuss these concerns and how to increase drug awareness among the younger population.
"I feel that this effort is important," said Lynn Hostetler, representing Enough is Enough of Franklin County. "(State) Trooper (Ed) Asbury recently said we're having a death per month as a result of drug abuse. People have to know that these drugs are out there, and that they are dangerous."
Members of local groups Enough is Enough, Justice and Mercy, TRUCE (Teens Resisting Unhealthy Choices Everyday), Maranatha and the Waynesboro Communities That Care attended the meeting to voice their views on recent events, upcoming programs and overall goals for its group and the coalition.
"These groups are necessary to reach out to the youth," said Pat Massa, coordinator of TRUCE. "Drugs are so easily accessible. The age of the students make them more vulnerable and experimental. We want to promote a healthy lifestyle, and eliminating drug use is the first step."
The increasing trend of drug-related deaths is the coalition's primary concern.
"We want to do something about this," said Cathi Pyatt, of Enough is Enough of Franklin County. "It's gone too far. We need to do more to get the message out there."
Reitz, a prevention specialist trainee for the Franklin/Fulton County Drug and Alcohol Prevention Project, spoke of some of the recent drug trends that he has seen come into the area, such as abusing over-the-counter drugs Coricidin and Robitussin cough medicine, which abusers call "robotripping."
John Stone, store manager at Rite Aid on Queen Street, said that Robitussin had been pulled off the shelves in the past and Coricidin is currently kept in the pharmacy.
"Robitussin used to be a problem, but I haven't noticed a problem recently," Stone said. "It's something I will look into again soon."
Stone did say Coricidin is a problem locally.
"I can't put it out," Stone said. "It just disappears. It's like magic."
Stone said there's a sign on the counter directing customers to the pharmacy.
Reitz said children abuse cold medicines because of the common ingredient in cough suppressants, DXM (dextromethorphan), which taken in large doses produces a psychedelic effect much like cocaine.
The trend hasn't reached emergency levels yet as local hospitals haven't seen young patients coming in because of over-the-counter overdoses.
Sheran White, of Summit Health, said that Chambersburg and Waynesboro hospitals have not seen any incidents of juveniles coming in with problems relating to abusing cold medications.
Reitz said "pharming" is a growing epidemic in surrounding counties but not in Franklin County. Pharming is a slang term for abusing prescription drugs, according to Reitz.
Reitz said youths will hold parties at home when parents are gone for the weekend or an overnight event, and the children who are invited are to bring prescription drugs as a cover charge.
"They raid their parents' medicine cabinet as an easy invite to a big party," Reitz said. "Then all these pills are put into a big bowl on a table, much like a candy jar. It hasn't been too bad in Franklin County, but once you see it grow in neighboring areas -- it doesn't take long for word to spread locally."
TRUCE is a program geared toward sending prevention efforts into the schools with an incentive based rewards program. Students pledge to stay drug free by signing up for a membership, take random urine tests and receive a TRUCE card -- a card they can use for discounts to a variety of local stores such as Pizza Hut, Subway, Sheetz and Applebee's.
Enough is Enough emphasizes its prevention efforts to heroin, due to the deaths of Robinson and Hostetler's niece 18-year-old Dana Boyer, Johnstown.
The group next awareness program will be on April 19 for the public and on April 20 for students at J. Frank Faust Junior High and Chambersburg Area Senior High schools.
Originally published Thursday, April 1, 2004
Story Here: http://www.publicopiniononline.com/news/st...ews/190846.html (http://www.publicopiniononline.com/news/stories/20040401/localnews/190846.html)
Franklin County Coroner Jeff Conner confirmed the trend last week when he released the causes of deaths of four young people in the area since February 2003.
Conner reported the deaths of 23-year-old Darla J. Martin, Chambersburg, 25-year-old Michael E. Blubaugh, Fayetteville, and 16-year-old Jennifer Robinson, Chambersburg, were caused by heroin overdose.
The death of 22-year-old Brent Johnson, Waynesboro, was due to a mixed drug toxicity from methadone and prescription drugs, according to Conner. Conner added that heroin played no part in Johnson's July 11, 2003 death.
"Why heroin is here in the area is a question for the county drug task force and police authorities to answer," Conner said. "All I know is, it's here."
Conner said that noticing an increasing trend of heroin-related death this past year has been eye-opening.
"You've got to wonder when it's going to stop," Conner said. "When are the kids going to realize it can kill them."
The Franklin County Drug Coalition, a countywide group spurred by George Reitz, met this week to discuss these concerns and how to increase drug awareness among the younger population.
"I feel that this effort is important," said Lynn Hostetler, representing Enough is Enough of Franklin County. "(State) Trooper (Ed) Asbury recently said we're having a death per month as a result of drug abuse. People have to know that these drugs are out there, and that they are dangerous."
Members of local groups Enough is Enough, Justice and Mercy, TRUCE (Teens Resisting Unhealthy Choices Everyday), Maranatha and the Waynesboro Communities That Care attended the meeting to voice their views on recent events, upcoming programs and overall goals for its group and the coalition.
"These groups are necessary to reach out to the youth," said Pat Massa, coordinator of TRUCE. "Drugs are so easily accessible. The age of the students make them more vulnerable and experimental. We want to promote a healthy lifestyle, and eliminating drug use is the first step."
The increasing trend of drug-related deaths is the coalition's primary concern.
"We want to do something about this," said Cathi Pyatt, of Enough is Enough of Franklin County. "It's gone too far. We need to do more to get the message out there."
Reitz, a prevention specialist trainee for the Franklin/Fulton County Drug and Alcohol Prevention Project, spoke of some of the recent drug trends that he has seen come into the area, such as abusing over-the-counter drugs Coricidin and Robitussin cough medicine, which abusers call "robotripping."
John Stone, store manager at Rite Aid on Queen Street, said that Robitussin had been pulled off the shelves in the past and Coricidin is currently kept in the pharmacy.
"Robitussin used to be a problem, but I haven't noticed a problem recently," Stone said. "It's something I will look into again soon."
Stone did say Coricidin is a problem locally.
"I can't put it out," Stone said. "It just disappears. It's like magic."
Stone said there's a sign on the counter directing customers to the pharmacy.
Reitz said children abuse cold medicines because of the common ingredient in cough suppressants, DXM (dextromethorphan), which taken in large doses produces a psychedelic effect much like cocaine.
The trend hasn't reached emergency levels yet as local hospitals haven't seen young patients coming in because of over-the-counter overdoses.
Sheran White, of Summit Health, said that Chambersburg and Waynesboro hospitals have not seen any incidents of juveniles coming in with problems relating to abusing cold medications.
Reitz said "pharming" is a growing epidemic in surrounding counties but not in Franklin County. Pharming is a slang term for abusing prescription drugs, according to Reitz.
Reitz said youths will hold parties at home when parents are gone for the weekend or an overnight event, and the children who are invited are to bring prescription drugs as a cover charge.
"They raid their parents' medicine cabinet as an easy invite to a big party," Reitz said. "Then all these pills are put into a big bowl on a table, much like a candy jar. It hasn't been too bad in Franklin County, but once you see it grow in neighboring areas -- it doesn't take long for word to spread locally."
TRUCE is a program geared toward sending prevention efforts into the schools with an incentive based rewards program. Students pledge to stay drug free by signing up for a membership, take random urine tests and receive a TRUCE card -- a card they can use for discounts to a variety of local stores such as Pizza Hut, Subway, Sheetz and Applebee's.
Enough is Enough emphasizes its prevention efforts to heroin, due to the deaths of Robinson and Hostetler's niece 18-year-old Dana Boyer, Johnstown.
The group next awareness program will be on April 19 for the public and on April 20 for students at J. Frank Faust Junior High and Chambersburg Area Senior High schools.
Originally published Thursday, April 1, 2004
Story Here: http://www.publicopiniononline.com/news/st...ews/190846.html (http://www.publicopiniononline.com/news/stories/20040401/localnews/190846.html)