COMMUNITY FORUM TARGETS DRUG ABUSE

Over 50 parents, teachers and administrators were given a rare look into
the world of illegal drugs at a community forum on substance abuse at the
County Communications Center in Wiscasset Tuesday night.

Representatives from Wiscasset, Lincoln County and state law enforcement
agencies were on hand to give a frank presentation on drugs; their effects
and the need for the community to get involved in stopping them.

Deputy Chief Wayne Applebee of the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office said
there have been four drug overdoses since Todd Brackett took over as
sheriff last year.

"There hasn't been a whole lot of drug enforcement due to budget
restrictions," said Applebee

He said recently administrators around Maine got together to discuss what
they felt was the biggest problem facing law enforcement. Drugs were cited
as the number one problem.

To combat this, Lincoln County Sheriff Todd Brackett has set up a drug task
force to tackle drug use more aggressively than in the past. Recently the
department received a Weed and Seed grant to help fund this force.

By reducing drug use, law enforcement officials also reduce drug related
problems including assaults, theft and overdoses.

About a year ago, Maine State Police Trooper Chris Tupper and
Detective-Sergeant Ken Hatch from the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, were
appointed to head this force. "Drug work is totally different than patrol
work," said Tupper.

Their primary job it to collect data, coordinate with the Maine Drug
Enforcement Agency and get all agencies working together to keep the
information flowing.

The purpose of this forum, Tupper said, "is that the community knows we're
here and we need active help, and cooperation."

Tupper said many young drug abusers get their drugs from an adult, and the
police is more interested in shutting down the source than arresting a
17-tear-old kid.

Parents also need to be alert to the dangers of drug use and that they are
accessible to even middle school students, said Officer Marcus Niedner of
the Wiscasset Police Department.

There are a lot of pills at the middle school level, with some students
smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol.

A special agent for the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency said heroin has been
in Maine for a number of years and marijuana, despite being illegal, is
Maine's largest cash crop. Tupper added that he has encountered mushrooms
in Wiscasset.

A student who gets involved with drugs will often show telltale signs and
parents need to be aware and active in their children's life.

"If you sit back and look at your child's behavior, there are red flags,"
said the agent.

Oftentimes a young drug user will exhibit a sudden change in behavior, lack
motivation, and hang out with different friends.

If a child is using drugs, than they must be getting the money from
somewhere, either by selling them, stealing money or using money from a
part-time job to fund their habit.

Parents should not be afraid to approach their kids with the problem and
ask tough questions. Unfortunately, many parents deny there is a problem or
believe their kid cannot be using drugs. Hatch said the sheriff's office is
always open to talk with parents about drug issues or point them in the
right direction for help. School Resource Officer

Niedner who will be hired as Wiscasset's first School Resource Officer,
talked about his position.

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Department will receive a $125,000 federal
grant to hire one full-time officer for three years, with the condition the
town fund the fourth year.

Assuming the grant is approved, he will start at the beginning of the next
school year.

"So far there's been a lot of very cooperative parents," Niedner said.

He said the goal is to have a drug free school within four years.

Niedner said he will focus primarily on the high school, but will conduct
programs such as D.A.R.E. at the middle school level.

Niedner said the town is not putting an officer in the schools just to
combat drugs but also to deal with other serious issues such as bomb
threats, students bringing weapons to school or fighting during sporting
events.

"I'm not here to enforce the school rule and give out detentions. I'm here
to establish a working relationship with the students and intervene before
something does happen," Niedner said. Prevention

Mary Trescot from Youth Promise of Newcastle and Michele Hylen, Manager of
the Addiction Resource Center in Brunswick, talked about the preventive
side of drug use.

Hylen said the center is a resource to evaluate and help youths who have
become involved in drug use.

It is important to respect children of all ages, make them feel like a part
of the community because such children are less likely to get involved with
drugs, added Trescot.

After the presentation members of the audience asked questions.

One resident said she was worried that she would lose her child's trust if
she went through her child's room looking for drugs.

Hylen suggested if she notices a change in her child's behavior she could
confront him and ask if they can search his room together.

Another resident asked how the police protects a child who informs on an
adult dealer.

The agent said he has signed about 50 confidential informants and he keeps
very close contact with them. If anyone threatens or harasses that person,
he can arrest the aggressor for witness tampering. The agent said he
aggressively protects his sources. "Drugs are a community problem, the
youth is a reflection of us," said Trescot.