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Does the "Roll Your Own" tobacco store sell drug paraphernalia?
I would not be surprised if these stores were selling items that could also be used to use marijuana and other illicit drugs as well as legal tobacco products. Stores commonly referred to as "head shops" have been around for years and have always sold similar products. The state law in Ohio allows rolling papers, pipes, bongs, graters and containers to be sold legally. It becomes illegal only if they are advertised for drug use or they are actually used to take illegal drugs. The stores know to stay on the legal side of the law in their advertising. It defies common sense but the reality is that a store can openly display a hundred glass pipes for sale and everyone knows what they are used for but if an individual has one in his possession with marijuana residue in it he or she can be charged with a crime.
How do you get help for a drug user that denies they have a problem and they are over 18 years of age? What can a family do?
This is the million dollar question and I wish there was a clear cut answer. It is a truism that many people will not seek help or even realize they need help until they hit "rock bottom". Equally true is that it is difficult to help someone that doesn't want help. Sometimes the best you can do is not to enable the user. If you give user money for food, you are enabling. If you give him food you are helping him in a positive way. This "tough love" approach is very hard, especially for a parent. Some parents have gone out of their way to have their child arrested, knowing that this arrest may be the rock bottom that makes the child realize that he or she needs help.
Although sometimes you cannot help the addict, the family can and should help itself. There are support groups that will make you realize you are not alone and more importantly, not to blame.
Why are you talking about talking about bath salts and spice when people are dying from heroin overdoses?
Certainly a heroin death is more tragic than a person being treated at the Emergency Room after ingesting bath salts; however, bath salts, K2 and spice are very harmful and cannot be ignored. We would be remiss if we only addressed the "most serious" issue. Although the most serious crimes such as murder, rape and robbery receive much of our attention when they occur, we continue to answer calls for thefts, parking complaints, juvenile issues and quality of life crimes.
Can a person with a felony OVI offense join the Armed Services?
A felony conviction is not an automatic disqualification. Each branch of the service has it's own rules concerning criminal violations. You should contact a local recruiter.
What is the success rate of abstinence after re-hab or jail?
The experts in the field do not even agree what defines success much less the rate of success. We do know that many users enter rehab several times and often start using again; sometimes without completing the program, sometimes weeks or months later. The percent of people that enter a program and never use again is probably very low. Regardless of the number of times person tries and fails tan important thing to remember is the alternative is never a good choice. Complicating the issue is treatment is not a one size fits all proposition; you never know what program or motivation will eventually help a person to recovery. Also, addiction is not the type of disease that one is cured; staying off of drugs is a life long process.
How can a coach or mentor address the issue with kids?
Be honest with them in regard to the dangers of drug use and the influence of peer pressure. Much like a parent; set a good example and let the kids know what is expected of them. What we often see is the rules are bent or the "star" athletes are treated differently. Obviously this is counterproductive. Especially at the High School level we often see coaches look the other way or coaches that are more interested in being friends with the students instead of adult role models. With younger kids, it is probably best to keep your ears open. Kids talk much more openly with their friends when their parents are not around and should you hear something that raises a red flag bring it to the parent's attention.
Are there any treatment centers available free of charge?
There are some in the area. I would call The Family Resource Center at 216-475-1103 for further information.
Are students being educated in the schools of the consequences of drug abuse?
The schools address the drugs issue as part of Health Class. After reading the evaluations we received after the Drug Forum it was apparent that a logical next step might be taking some version of the Forum directly into the schools. We are meeting with school officials in the near future to see if this is possible and to work out the details.
What plans does the Mayor have to keep the problem under control?
The Mayor has initiated the Drug Forum and, along with Judge Nicastro, has opened the Family Resource Center. He has also supported the Police Department's efforts to bring a version of the Drug Forum directly to the students. These efforts are well beyond what a single Municipality has ever attempted in our area. In most cases social services are generally provided by Counties or States. It is also important to remember that although a City can provide assistance, the Government is not able to "solve" the problem on its own. All segments of society must be actively involved to make a dent in the addiction problem.
Is heroin always injected?
No, heroin can also be snorted. However, it is no less dangerous or addictive when it is snorted. Snorting also causes another problem. Since snorting seems to carry less of a stigma that using a needle, a person can foolishly believe that somehow snorting is not as bad and will tell themselves that they will never use a needle. The fact is, anyone who starts out snorting heroin will soon be using a needle because of the strong addiction power of heroin.
Are there Narcotics Anonymous meetings in the area?
The closest one is in Bedford at the South Haven United Church of Christ located at 415 Northfield Road. The Family Resource Center has a complete list of locations. We wanted to bring one into Garfield Heights but were told by the NA people that new meeting locations are started by current NA members that have the desire to start a new "chapter". If the City is asked we will find a suitable building.
Do you have locker searches at the High School?
Yes we have done several with the K9 units.
How many suburban moms have died of a heroin overdose? Her kids feel singled out.
Although we do not have an exact number or even how a "suburban mom" might be defined, heroin users are present in all communities and they come in all ages, races, incomes, male and female. It may be a little easier to hide an addiction problem in the suburbs but if her kids attend a support group, they may be surprised how many similar people are there.
Are you able to tell the stores that refused to voluntarily stop selling K-2 and bath salts? I want to make sure they do not get my business.
The owner of a store called "In the Field" located in Turneytown was person charged. The other store that was selling the products was the McCracken/Henry Food Mart.
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