DRUG ARRESTS GET ATTENTION
But what impact does drug abuse have on the community?
By James Moate Endeavor News

A string of arrests in Cameron County has renewed the dialogue about the impact of drug abuse on the local populace.

The crackdown has also sparked debate about the roles of law enforcement, religious leaders and professional counselors in detecting and responding to drug abuse.

Endeavor News recently surveyed community leaders for their views.

Emporium Police Chief Rufus Jones suggested that economics play a larger role than many people may realize. Cameron County is not immune to the marketplace aspects of drug abuse.

"Drugs are a financial opportunity," Jones said. "There are users and dealers in every income category, from the poor to the wealthy. The difference is, poor people will take whatever they can get and the rich ones pick and choose."

Jones sees marijuana and cocaine as the most widely abused drugs in the county. Marijuana is one of the cheapest and easiest to get. Cocaine is more expensive, but users typically find ways to feed their habit, the chief said.

Heroin and methamphetamines are the least abused drugs in the county because they are "harder to get due to limited suppliers," Jones added.

"Cameron County isn't the only place that has a drug problem," Jones added. "Every community has a drug problem."

Cameron County Probation Officer Annie Hnath pointed out that abuse of prescription drugs is also a major problem. Sometimes, patients who obtain legitimate prescriptions for painkillers sell a portion of their pills to make money.

Hnath said other drugs flow into Cameron County from many sources. "Drugs are coming from our own doctors (pills), plus marijuana can be grown here, and harder drugs are imp orted fromciti Hnath pointed out.

She said low-income males in their 20s to 30s are the primary abusers.

"There's a lot of peer pressure," Hnath observed. "Younger kids want to hang out with older peer groups. This in turn leads to them trying out substances like alcohol and marijuana, which can lead to the use of harder, more expensive drugs."

Emporium Borough Manager Don Reed said drug abuse may be a hidden problem in the community.

"I know, or have seen, almost all of the people that were arrested for drugs and I didn't know that any of them were doing that kind of stuff," Reed said.

Cameron County District Attorney Tommy Tompkins refused an Endeavor News request for an interview.

His apparent successor as DA. next year, local attorney Paul Malizia, said that, like was surprised at the extent of the drug problem.

"The recent drug arrests have been eye-opening to me and I'm eager to learn more as I prepare to become a prosecutor," Malizia said.

What can Cameron County do to combat drug abuse?

"Active community involvement" is one solution, according to Chief Jones.

"Too many people -- parents, other family members, friends -- provide excuses for users to continue abusing." Jones said. "We'll hear things like, 'My son Johnny isn't a bad kid; all he does is smoke a little pot here and there.' My answer to that is, I don't care if you're buying a nickel bag or bringing in a kilo, I'm gonna bust you just the same."

Jones suggested that parents and other family members educate themselves on the consequences of drug abuse.

"Keep your eyes open and try to stop your kids, nephews, nieces, etc., from getting into drugs or help them recover," the chief suggested.

Prevention is an admirable goal, but punishment also has its place, Hnath pointed out. She said the courts must be willing to mete out tough sentences that might make potential abusers think twice about risky behavior.

"Instead of putting people in local jails, give them state sentencing," she suggested. "That might deter a few people."

And deterring is exactly what law enforcement officials believe they are accomplishing right now.

"The arrests that have been made have to be making a difference," Malizia theorized. "I really think seeing the success that law enforcement is having right now will deter the smart ones," Malizia suggested. "It won't stop everybody, but the smart ones will stop and think 'hey that could be me' and hopefully make positive changes in their lives."

An alternative to punishment is treatment. Dickinson Mental Health of Ridgway operates a drug and alcohol rehabilitative clinic at 107 North Cherry Street in Emporium. It's open by appointment only.

Counseling with a qualified health professional can help a substance abuser overcome the habit.

During a recent three-month period, nine of the ten Cameron County residents in the program were between the ages of 16 and 35. Recovery percentages were higher than the standard levels, a Dickinson spokesman said. In fact, at 60- and 180-day reviews, every patient had remained abstinent. The Dickinson clinic can be reached by phone at 486-0653.