By Andrew Martins
Staff Writer
JACKSON – The early detection of and treatment for drug abuse among Jackson youths will be the subject of an event that will help parents to handle an ongoing state and nationwide trend.
On April 13 at 6 p.m., the Jackson Police Department and Jackson PBA Local No. 168 will host a “Drug Education Awareness for Parents” program in the Jackson Memorial High School Fine Arts Center, Don Connor Boulevard.
The discussion will include tips to help parents recognize behavior associated with potential drug use and information about parental rights, Lt. John Convery said.
“We are trying to alert parents to some of the early warning signs (which could indicate) their kids may be having some sort of drug dependency issues,” Convery said. “Our hope is that we can do some early intervention and stop it before it becomes a legal problem and before it becomes a law enforcement problem.”
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released a 2015 study which indicated that 16.5 percent of 10th-graders who were surveyed had tried illicit drugs and that 23.6 percent of 12th-graders who were surveyed had tried illicit drugs.
Although the abuse of heroin has been a primary focus for law enforcement personnel and government officials throughout New Jersey in recent years, Convery said the April 13 talk will focus on many areas of drug abuse.
“If we have one [person addicted to drugs], it’s one too many,” he said. “We want to stop as much of it as we can.”
Convery said police administrators are proud of the work being done by the two school resource officers who are assigned to Jackson’s schools. He said their efforts will be a part of the discussion.
“They have been great. As far as trying to keep (the use of drugs) out of the schools, we are doing our best to make sure it does not make any headway there,” he said.
A Jackson parent whose child was addicted to drugs will share that experience with attendees.
“Like any disease, the earlier you can (diagnose) it, the earlier you can treat it. As those parents learned with their son, when it is a full-blown addiction it is much harder to get a handle on it and to deal with,” Convery said.
Law enforcement professionals and representatives of support and outreach organizations will be available to meet with attendees on an individual basis following the presentation. Admission is free and pre-registration is not required. Parents are asked not to bring children to the event.
