COUNTY FACING DRUG ABUSE 'CRISIS'

Experts Point To Data That Says Problem Keeps Growing

Drug and alcohol abuse in Venango County, especially among the young,
has reached a crisis level, according to a network of health and
social service workers who are working to identify and change
conditions that lead to substance abuse.

Sharon Peterson, a Pennsylvania Department of Health nurse in Venango
County, outlined some alarming statistics during a county
commissioners workshop this week in Franklin. Peterson spoke on behalf
of two committees associated with the Focus on Our Future
organization, a coalition of community members who work to address
local problems.

"Our purpose has been to mobilize a network of school and community
individuals who will identify and change the conditions that lead to
substance abuse among the youth of Venango County," said Peterson.

The motivations to do that, she said, came from "looking at the data"
about local drug use.

"It is alarming. Facts such as in November 2004, Venango County had
four young people that overdosed. One youth died, one is still in a
coma and the other two were referred to treatment," Peterson told the
commissioners.

Peterson and a large contingent of health workers, case workers,
parole officers and others presented a brief report that tabulated
numbers for arrests, drug usage and more.

- - In comparing Venango County to "counties similar in demographics"
such as Clarion, Jefferson, McKean and Tioga, Venango County's arrest
numbers for all age groups is much higher, Peterson said. In 2001, she
said, Venango County listed about 3,000 arrests, more than twice the
number as in the four comparable counties.

- - Venango County is disproportionately high, said Peterson, in the
number of juveniles (under 18) arrested. In 2001, Venango County
listed about 800 juvenile arrests. Again, that is more than double the
surrounding counties.

- - Adult arrests for drug possession, sale or manufacture (not simply
usage) are very high in Venango County, said Peterson, referring to
Pennsylvania Uniform Crime Reporting System statistics. In 2004, more
than 200 adults were arrested on one or more of those charges. In
surrounding counties, the numbers didn't top 50.

- - Arrests on those same drug-related charges are also higher in
Venango County for juveniles. In 2001 and 2002, more than 30 young
people were arrested in the county, compared to 20 or less for other
area counties. In 2004, the number declined to 15 in Venango County.

- - While arrests for marijuana remain high in the county, cocaine and
synthetic drug (including prescription drugs) arrests are growing
rapidly among adults. In 2004, there were about 50 cocaine-opiates
arrests, 90 marijuana arrests and 60-65 synthetic/other arrests.

"Drugs now being used are much more addictive and destructive," said
Peterson.

- - Drug-related arrests for juveniles are also high in Venango County,
she explained. While the majority of arrests are for marijuana
offenses, there have been many over the past four years for cocaine,
synthetic and other drugs.

"If we have two arrested, we have 100 more that are users," said
Bonnie Summers, administrator of the Venango County Substance Abuse
Program, in a published report referred to by Peterson.

- - Venango County's percent of its population admitted to the county's
drug and alcohol treatment services is higher than seven surrounding
counties, even those with larger populations, said Peterson.

"There are many more who are users and not admitted to services so
this is just the tip of the iceberg," said Peterson.

In the report, Summers said the most destructive drugs -- meth, heroin
and opiates -- are "increasing in use and are being made available to
our youth."

- - Peterson said one example of the growing drug problem is the
proliferation of meth labs in northwestern Pennsylvania. Last year,
there were 128 meth labs in the state, of which nearly two-thirds were
in six northwestern counties. Crawford County had 41 of the labs,
Venango County had 11, Forest had 4 and Clarion had 2.

The statistics, said Summers in her report, show that substance abuse
in Venango County has reached "a crisis level."

"We have people overdosing and dying or becoming severely disabled,"
wrote Summers. "Data shows drug and alcohol abuse in Venango County
exceeds abuse in the region ... and (it) is still climbing."

In reaction to Peterson's presentation, Sue Smith, chairman of the
county commissioners, said the cost of drug abuse is substantial and
taxpayers feel the effects through the high cost of treating or
jailing drug use offenders.

"We need to educate the public that we have a very serious drug
problem in Venango County," said Smith.

Peterson said one new effort aimed at addressing the drug use problem
is the creation of Coordinated School Health Councils. The Oil City
School District has embraced that concept, she said.

"It creates an environment in the schools that is healthy and
educational. Across the country, it is a model of success and we are
encouraging other school districts to do it," said Peterson.