Center brings 'Hidden in Plain Sight' program to Glen Meadow

VERNON — The Center for Prevention’s “Hidden in Plain Sight ” drug prevention awareness event at Glen Meadow Middle School on Monday, Oct. 27 showed those who attended had a sincere concern for their own kids and other youth in Vernon.

Hearing information directly from the Vernon Township Police Department’s Chief Randy Mills, Ptl. Stephen Gentle, Ptl. Shaun Fitzgerald and Cpl. Scott Waleck, attendees were updated on local illegal drug use.

“Regarding the abuse of prescription painkillers and the slippery slope which leads to heroin use- it isn’t a question of if, it is just a question of when a person progresses to heroin. It is not a jump or a leap, but, simply what happens when someone abuses these pharmaceuticals. Heroin addiction is never far off,” Gentle said.

Attorney, Paris P. Eliades, Sparta Family Law and 2014 President of the N.J. State Bar Association, spoke of how he often advises young people facing severe criminal charges and significant jail time.

“By the time they require my counsel, they’re really struggling to stay sober and above the law in order to stay out of jail," Eliades said. "That is just such a difficult and sad way for a young person to begin their life."

The prevention staff of The Center, in Newton, and it’s program, The Vernon Coalition, explained and exhibited where, how and what parents need to be aware of in a teen’s bedroom, as well as details of the physical signs and symptoms of teen drug use.

“It’s really unfair to call marijuana ‘weed’ anymore," said Annmarie Shafer, coordinator of the Vernon Coalition. "It’s a well-advanced, genetically modified and engineered plant today with THC levels more potent than ever. Marijuana use is causing severe anxiety, depression and schizophrenia in our youth."

The center's Tina Thompson said it all begins with alcohol.

“Kids don’t just wake up at 17 and start using heroin,” Thompson said. “15-5-21…Kids that drink before the age of 15 are 5 times more likely to have severe problems with alcohol and other drugs than those who wait until they are 21 to drink.”

Glen Meadow Middle School Guidance Counselor Alexis Cocca clarified the Voluntary Random Drug Testing program that Glen Meadow Middle School has in place. Principal, Pauline Anderson said,

“Random drug testing is important because it gives our kids one more way to say, ‘No way! I’m not taking the chance, I just can’t,’" Prinicipal Pualine Anderson said. "It’s another tool in their toolbox and they need every opportunity they can to say no to alcohol and other drugs today, more than ever.”

Cocca also talked about the state law, designated ‘18A,’ which requires school staff who observe a student to be under the influence, must request the student be sent out for testing.

"These are provisions that enable our young students to receive help, not to punish them, but, to intervene early on, before drug use can escalate,” Cocca said.

The presentation lasted two hours where adult attendees also learned about other very harmful and lethal but legal drugs, sold over the Internet or in convenience stores. The newest unregulated trend of E-cigarettes and vape pens, which are used to smoke tobacco, marijuana and other drugs, were presented along with how easy it is to camouflage the scent of drugs with these smoking devices. Attendees were encouraged to browse, hands-on, through the mock teenage bedroom in order to uncover hiding spots for different drugs and to identify current drug paraphernalia. Everyone also was reminded to use the Rx drop box in the Vernon Township Police Department’s lobby, open 24/7 for disposal of unwanted, expired or unused prescription drugs.

“When you see a commercial on TV for a prescription drug, when you read the police blotter or hear about an overdose, use these as opportunities to talk to your kids about drug use," said Becky Carlson, assistant director of The Center. "Kids really do want their parents to talk to them and to be involved in their lives. Kids will talk. We need to listen to them. Remember, it’s parenting, not pestering.”