Trending
The drug problem in the area knows no limits, with people of all ages and backgrounds finding themselves addicted to various drugs.
In an effort to stop such addiction at an early age, several Marshall County leaders met with John Marshall High School students Thursday morning to discuss the area’s growing drug problem.
The forum featured a panel discussion featuring local professionals with firsthand knowledge of Marshall County’s heroin and pill struggles.
Exiting seniors Andrea Garrison and Alison Duke made the forum possible by applying for a Chevron Grant in collaboration with the Marshall County Family Resource Network earlier in the semester. The students developed the concept while working with Marshall County FRN Director Stacie Dei on a youth leadership project in John Marshall instructor Jonna Kuskey’s English class.
Garrison said the two students wanted to hear answers to common questions high school students may feel uncomfortable asking.
“We see a lot of times a speaker will come in and tell us their experience or talk about prevention but it’ll be a one time thing, but we wanted this to be a kick-off for something reoccurring,” she said. “We want students to continue these dialogues throughout the year.”
Garrison and Duke led a question and answer discussion during the panel involving local law enforcement, health professionals and circuit court staff.
Dei was joined on the panel by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steve Vogrin, County Prosecutor Jeff Cramer, Sheriff Kevin Cecil, Moundsville Police Chief Thomas Mitchell, Northwood Health Systems psychologist Karen Campbell, Northwood Heath Systems therapist Kim Watson and Reynolds Memorial Hospital CEO Dr. David Hess.
Mitchell and Cecil both outlined the dangers of the heroin epidemic as well as its impact on local law enforcement.
“You guys have to band together because maybe you have a vulnerable friend who needs your help. One time with the drugs they’re doing today and you’re just screwed,” Mitchell said. “If all you do is get up and get dope, you’re a slave. Drugs do you.”
Cecil added the heroin and pill epidemics have caused staffing changes.
“Marijuana was the big thing back when I started, and we had one guy that investigated it on a part-time basis,” Cecil said. “Now we’ve devoted 10 full-time people to this problem.”
Cramer noted the high correlation between drugs and other common crimes in the area.
“If we see 30 burglaries in a year, 25 or 28 of them are directly drug-related,” Cramer said. “You all have been blessed at John Marshall with good resource officers and you should feel confident to go speak with them about any issue you may have.”
Hess explained the health issues relating to the problem.
“It is in fact my job to scare you today. It’s difficult to be you guys and that’s why we’re here to help you help us tackle the problem, ” he said. “I came to the hospital 12 years ago thinking my biggest issue would be childhood obesity and found teens overdosing. If we target this age group early it can make all the difference. We can stop this.”
Following the panel, participants held a planning session involving faculty and students to discuss future action plans for drug problems within the school. Dei said the school’s current drug policy has not been changed for decades and does not currently account for heroin and prescription pills.