Heroin use among high school students in Northfield
Jun.22 2007 at 11:03 by Griff WigleyKurt Larson at Larson’s Printing alerted me to this article published in the Pioneer Press on Monday: Meth hospital, treatment admissions down in ‘06. The article ends with this paragraph, italics mine:
Falkowski said she has been monitoring the media for signs of heroin abuse in upscale schools for years, without finding evidence of the suburban drug trends evident in other states. That changed several months ago with reports of a heroin network among high school students in Northfield.
(Falkowski is Carol Falkowski, director of the Butler Center for Research at Hazelden.)
The way that paragraph is written implies that Northfield is an upscale suburb, which ain’t so. But I phoned Northfield Police Chief Gary Smith today and he confirmed the story and the problem… and indicated that the heroin use is definitely by students from upper income families here in Northfield.
He indicated that there was a local effort in the works (evidently HCI is involved) to address the problem, including the lack of a local treatment facility/program. He might be able to add more info about this on his blog or via a comment here.
Update July 6: I’ve deleted the text and YouTube video on Incarcerex that I included in the original blog post and removed phrase ‘war on drugs’ from the blog title. With over 100 comments, the message thread was loading slowly and hopefully this will speed things up a bit… as well as help keep the discussion Northfield-focused.
Update July 11:After rereading articles and comments in preparation for today’s radio show/podcast, I’ve edited the title of the blog post from ‘Heroin network at the Northfield High School’ to ‘Heroin use among high school students in Northfield.’ This change more accurately reflects A) the actual wording of the Hazelden researcher, and B) the fact that there are high schoolers in Northfield who are at the district high school, at ARTech, and who are being homeschooled. I apologize for the wording and acknowledge that it was unfair to the school district and its high school. My error is partially due to my longstanding support for charter schools. I guess this is an example of what’s called biased reporting. Oddly, no one called me on this.
Bright Spencer June 22, 2007 4:25 pm
Every high school, three, I attended in Chicago had
drug/addiciton problems. At the all girls Catholic school, it was mainly cigarettes and beer and boys, at the blue collar neighborhood school, it was just about anything including weapons, and at the middle class public school, it was pot, cocaine and snobbery. If any govt has facilities and programs to curb addictions it’s Chicago, but that never stopped any one from climbing off the wagon, if they felt a need. What does work is parental involvement and caring. If the parents are addicts or if they don’t care what the kids do, or if they take a hands off approach, or if they strangle the kids with ‘love’, read control, there might very well be addiction problems.
Addictions that are nearly impossible to over come are genetically based. The others are more easily overcome when the right set of thoughts and circumstances come to the fore.
Once the drugs take hold, the drugs do all the talking.
No matter what anyone says, that’s the truth. And until it is recogized as such, no progress in sobriety can be made, imho.
Sobriety is a beautiful and free way to live. Never be beholding to any substance other than healthy food and clean water and your body and soul will thank you every day.
Thanks for the opportunity to spout off about this very important issue.
#1
Griff Wigley June 22, 2007 4:35 pm
You’re welcome, Bright.
From the NHS Periscope:
Drugs @ NHS: A bigger problem than we think?
#2
Marie Fischer June 23, 2007 1:13 am
I just like to let people know that the Key definitely helps. We have an amazing drug-free environment that kids can be a part of, but we also can’t be open 24/7, so although we’re doing all we can, things like this make me think that it might not be enough.
It’s kind of discouraging to be a high school student and hear of your friends using heroin (I won’t go into details), and even more discouraging when their own Youth Center can’t help them. There aren’t any treatment options available, and it makes it all the worse when you see you’re friends addictions getting worse, and sometimes to the point where they’re taken away from their home and friends. ‘Discouraging’ is really the only word I can think of.
#3
Griff Wigley June 23, 2007 6:46 am
Marie, I’m not sure the Key/NUY should feel responsible to do more than what it’s already doing re: chemical abuse/prevention. As long as you’re vigilant about maintaining a drug-free environment, that’s the main thing.
The need for a local treatment option for heroin addicts is something that’s evidently being talked about but I don’t know any details.
#4
An Anonymous Parent June 23, 2007 8:18 am
I don’t like anonymous posters, but feel I need to be anonymous this time.
Some months ago, before the news of the “heroin network” at Northfield High School came out, a friend of mine told me of his/her concerns regarding the rampant alcohol/drug use by Northfield High School students. This person teaches in the local school district and has several children in the high school/or who recently graduated.
This person was puzzled by the fact that many of the users were the “alpha” kids. Popular. Affluent. Athletes. These were not kids who suffered from lack of parental or societal attention.
Also, I’m concerned that it appears that the only reason this problem has come to light is because a citizen read one line from an article in the St. Paul paper and tipped off a blog run by volunteers. Where’s the Northfield News? Police chief Gary Smith? Doesn’t the high school feel a responsibility to notify parents and try to deal with this problem?
#5
An Anonymous Poster June 23, 2007 4:12 pm
Just to add - when I was in the Northfield schools many years ago kids were doing marijuana, acid even cocaine. This included the ‘jocks’ and other ‘alphas’. I played around with a few of the lighter elements shall we say so conclude that drug use in school in Northfield isn’t about parent neglect always. It’s about looking for thrills. Combating boredom. Not to say that there isn’t peer pressure but I think the ‘alphas’ that seek out drug use or initiate it in their group are looking for something different. Perhaps something more than ‘cows, colleges and contentment’ which always sounded boring to me.
#6
Griff Wigley June 24, 2007 9:51 pm
I understand the need for both of you anonymous commenters to be anonymous. Thanks for contributing.
Chemical abuse among kids isn’t a simple cause-effect situation, and I think family dynamics are right up there with societal factors (boredom, peer pressure, consumer culture) and genetics.
And while some family dynamics contribute more directly to kids’ abuse of chemicals than others (parental sexual abuse, for example), I think the bigger issue is how parents respond when the behavior first occurs or becomes problematic. A too-lenient approach can be as problematic as a too-harsh approach, and parents undermining each other can be the worst of all.
So I hope that whatever the community does in response to this, a multi-faceted approach is considered and prevention/treatment that involves the whole family is given top priority.
FYI, Chief Smith has blogged on this issue of heroin abuse. Among other things, he wrote:
#7
BruceWMorlan June 25, 2007 9:12 am
I would like to hear from a professional in the teaching community specifically addressing whether this is another perceived (or perhaps verified) shortcoming of the big box (minimize fixed costs) approach to building schools. In Dundas planning commission meetings I have hinted that we should be considering leaving space in our neighborhoods for new school(s), especially on the west side of the river. I am hoping to get some good data (not just opinions) on whether small “personalized” schools give students a better sense of self and community.
#8
Griff Wigley June 25, 2007 9:27 am
I think school size DOES matter, Bruce. And I think Dundas would be a good candidate for an elementary-level charter school. Here’s one place to look at some of the research on school size.
#9
Anne Bretts June 25, 2007 10:03 am
As usual, the answer to the big/little school question is more complicated than bad/good.
Little schools can be more personal and work well in some areas, but at the high school level they have troubl supporting AP, advanced and lab courses where enrollment tends to be a small percentage of the overall student body. They also have trouble fielding sports teams and other group activities. On the other hand they allow time for personal independet study and student-teacher interaction.
At the elementary school level, schools with one section are more prone to problems with class size spikes because there are no other sections to share the impact.
At all levels, it can be harder to provide special ed and other support services, with school districts paying for “windshield” time for teachers stretched over two or more buildings.
Joe Nathan at the Humphrey Institute has been talking about this for years, ever since I covered education up in Duluth years ago.
Back then the city closed a bunch of elementary schools that were half-empty due to population loss. The savings were small initially and disappeared after a year or so as the new larger schools added assistant principals and discipline experts to handle the less personal atmosphere.
As for drug use, you can find it in big and little schools, rich and poor.
I went to school in elementary classes of 50 taught by tough nuns and learned a lot. My kids did well in classes of 25 in rural Wisconsin where they rode the bus an hour each way and still didn’t have a big school. They did badly in classes with bad teachers or when there were problems at home or when they had some stress no one even noticed.
You can make some generalities, but you have to balance all the factors in this question. Are you willing to dump big school sports teams and play in small divisions? Are you willing to take courses online or by video hook-up?
I like small schools and support them, but I’m not sure how many people are willing to take the trade-offs.
#10
An Anonymous Teacher June 25, 2007 6:10 pm
While I do think that it is important for students to be known in schools as individuals, I fear that this conversation is going to diverge from the topic at hand here. Let’s debate the big/small schools issue at another time at another place.
As a teacher in Northfield, it is my perception that teenage drug use a BIG issue that people seem afraid to talk about. All sorts of kids — not just the “alphas” or just the kids on the fringe or the kids from this big school or that small school – are using “heavier” stuff like opiates (heroin and prescription drugs like Oxycontin) and cocaine and psychedelics.
If you ask some kids, they’ll tell you that the perception is that drug usage is a bigger issue in Northfield than in other communities. I think that some would also agree with the poster who said it’s about looking for thrills and combating boredom.
I’ll echo what Marie said, but from a teacher’s perspective: It’s incredibly discouraging to be a teacher and hear of your students using heroin. There aren’t any treatment options available and not a whole lot of public discussion about it.
#11
Anne Bretts June 25, 2007 7:37 pm
Yes, I agree with the anonymous teacher that the issue isn’t school size. I only mentioned it to point out that these problems can and do happen everywhere. I’m wondering whethere there is any way to really get a figure or solid estimate that indicates how “bad” bad is.
There’s a great story online about research on addiction that indicates about 32 percent of those who smoke become dependent on nicotine, while 23 percent of those who use heroin and 17 percent of those who use cocaine become dependent on them. About 10-12 percent of people who drink become dependent. It’s just a matter of brain chemistry, not morality or peer pressure, although those factors can increase exposure.
I’m not minimizing the problem, just want to point out that it’s important to determine how big the problem is and deal with it, knowing that each generation will have a drug of choice to deal with, from bootleg liquor to LSD to meth to heroin.
#12
Anne Bretts June 25, 2007 7:38 pm
Forgot the link: http://www.utexas.edu/features/2006/alcohol/index.html
#13
Zach Pruitt & Kathy Sandberg June 25, 2007 7:39 pm
In response to the concerns over heroin use in Northfield, it seems appropriate to let you know that there are groups talking about the use of heroin and the use of alcohol and other drugs by young people. The Rice County Chemical Health Coalition is a group made up of partners in multiple sectors of the county (primarily in Northfield and Faribault). The coalition is working to address substance use by youth including alcohol and other drugs…..and including heroin. Several Action Teams have been working on this issue for more than a year. Funding for the work comes from the Rice County Family Services Collaborative and from the Northfield Healthy Community Initiative (HCI).
With regard to heroin, both the coalition’s Provider Team (comprised of local treatment and other health care providers) and the Enforcement Team (comprised of law enforcement, Rice County Community Corrections and the County Attorney’s office) have spent considerable time focusing on this issue. The Provider Team is working to encourage Northfield physicians to participate in training that would allow them to administer withdrawal medications helpful in addressing addiction to heroin. This is currently a significant gap in the treatment continuum in our community.
The Provider Team has also created a resource directory available through the HCI website ( http://www.northfieldhci.org/nsresourcedirectory.php ). This directory allows community members to access information about local substance abuse prevention and treatment resources. The directory is available in both English and Spanish.
Here in Northfield, the Northfield Mayor’s Task Force is also interested in this situation, as well as all other forms of drug and alcohol use by youth.
While heroin use certainly is of concern, it is also important to remember that most young people (like adults) who choose to use substances don’t start with heroin. The current concern sparked by this spike in heroin use is an important reminder that we have work to do as a community around all drug/alcohol use by young people. Prevention works, but it takes a cooperative effort to be successful. Schools, parents, and law enforcement can’t do it alone. Community members are encouraged to get involved — we would be glad to speak with anyone interested in becoming more involved in this topic — 507-664-3524, 507-333-6813.
Thanks for your focus on this issue,
- Kathy Sandberg & Zach Pruitt, Rice County Chemical Health Coalition
#14
Scott Oney June 27, 2007 1:44 pm
But what about the elephant in the room? OK, the elephant in this case is more likely lurking in a parking lot somewhere or on the fringes of a school playground, but he’s still hard to miss. I’m referring, of course, to the pusher. Before anyone can use heroin properly, a high degree of mentoring is required. The activity isn’t inherently that appealing, and the drug isn’t that easy to use, so anyone wanting to sell smack to kids should plan on investing some serious time with them. (Initiation into drug use is included in at least one typology of bullying, under the “corrupting” subtype.)
By one estimate I’ve heard, there are about 100 young heroin users in Northfield. (I’d appreciate it if someone could update me on this statistic.) That’s certainly enough users to be considered a problem, but from the pusher’s point of view, it’s a pretty small number. One hundred users could probably support a small crew, as long as the pushers lived in shared households with additional sources of income. There might even be two or three competing crews in town, but the total number of individuals involved must be quite small.
We could form a few more task forces and gear up to treat a thousand addicts, but what would be the point? Once we had cured them, we could move on to the next thousand, but when would it end? Putting three or four dealers out of business would be as effective, and much easier. We have a problem here that doesn’t affect many similar small cities in the region. Northfield is an attractive drug market. Is this problem just due to some defect peculiar to our kids, or does it result from misguided policies of our local government or failures on the part of our local police?
#15
Griff Wigley June 29, 2007 10:09 pm
Zach or Kathy, if you post again (and I hope you do), please post as individuals, not as a two-person team. It’s too hard to have a conversation with you otherwise and what’ll happen is that people will resort to speaking about you instead of to you… and that lends itself to disrespect should a disagreement occur.
One of you wrote:
In Northfield’s prevention (eg, Mayor’s Task Force) and treatment approaches, what’s the consensus about which drugs are gateway drugs?
#16
Griff Wigley June 29, 2007 10:11 pm
I was contacted privately this week by a concerned parent who would like to talk with me off the record about her recent experiences with her high school-aged teens and friends regarding this issue. We’re meeting next week. After that, I’ll lobby my colleagues to consider having this topic be the subject of Locally Grown podcast episode.
#17
Griff Wigley June 29, 2007 10:31 pm
Scott Oney wrote:
Thanks for that post, Scott. And that’s a great question that needs some serious study. But until the community’s more aware of the problem , it’s not likely going to happen.
Anyone know if our education leaders (school board, administrators, teacher union reps) are aware of the extent of the problem? (100 youth heroin users seems like a lot to me.) If so, when has it been talked about publicly?
Is there a fear that this would be a blemish on Northfield’s generally well-regarded public education system and therefore, it’s better dealt with quietly?
I’d like to urge our educators to be as forthcoming and transparent as possible on this so that citizens are more inclined to rally around you and help work on the problem rather than criticizing you.
#18
Scott Oney June 30, 2007 11:47 am
Griff,
Yikes! I didn’t mean to give the impression that there were 100 users at the high school. If that were true, it would be time to give up and move! I think I said “young,” not “youth,” and in this case I had in mind people in their late teens to midtwenties.
But use has trickled down to the high school, which may be just as well as it seems to have caught the attention of townsfolk who were probably unaware of what’s been going on in our trailer parks and projects. (In this case, the action may be centered in the Estates, but who knows? It’s probably always shifting; perhaps Gary Smith could fill us in.)
As far as estimating numbers, this is best done by extrapolating from hospital admittances and testing at jail intake. Perhaps someone could share these figures for the Northfield hospital and the county jail.
Incidentally, the Faribault Daily News today (Saturday, June 30) had an article showing what can be done if people are willing to admit that they have a problem and ask for help. Faribault police, with extensive help from the feds, were able to take out a crew of Tre Tre Crips who had set up shop in that city. The investigation took little more than a month, and besides the usual wiretaps and undercover work, they were able to use high-tech devices that you wouldn’t expect a small-town police department to have on hand. So there are resources available, but somebody here would have to ask.
#19
not given June 30, 2007 6:08 pm
Hello,
I was one of the hundred, i am not by any means cured, but many of you are correct. Let me get one thing clear, the number of “heroin users” may be in the hundred plus range but, the number of “junkies” is closer to 30. The amount of kids that have tried to heroin or maybe use it once a month or so greatly out numbers the daily I.V. users. I was one of the daily I.V. users, and Scott you are correct, there are only a handful of dealers, it isnt this amazing network of highschool kids selling to everyone they see, its very descreet and not many people actually get their hands on any large amount. Everyones suspicions are correct though, it does come from the cities (obviously) and this town is a very attractive drug market. Another thing i would like to clairify is that the “Alpha” kids are mainly the ones doing this, its a very clicky thing. But you have to remember that its very very expensive in the cities, and once you get it down here the prices double sometimes triple. Kids are not paying for this out of pocket, the thefts are almost all connected to this, and again its only a very small handful of people doing it, remember only around 30 absolutley physically need this drug to avoid withdrawl. Out of that number you have to subtract the number of dealers, and their close friends who either get this for free, or sell it with them. I am no professional but having lived this life i’m able to say that tops 20 kids are out robbing your garage, your car, or your home. Whatever they can get their hands on. It is a large problem and like Scott said, if we “cure” a thousand by then it would have spread to even more. We need to weigh out options and find out what needs to be done…i would love to leave my name but obviously if someone from the heroin “lifestyle” where to read it problems would be brought to myself and loved ones. Hope i helped?
#20
Tracy Davis June 30, 2007 6:15 pm
Dear “Not Given”,
Thank you for taking the time and trouble to post. Generally we require a name, but under the circumstances I understand why you wouldn’t leave one.
I hope you find all the help and support you need to stay clean.
#21
not given June 30, 2007 9:27 pm
May i add that most of the hardcore heroin users are in their late teens to twenty somethings. It has trickled down to the schools, even to the youngest user i’ve heard of being 13. Scary stuff. Most younger people can get it from someone their age. and the older guys usually stick to their own as well. I am afraid that kids that have yet to have any major life experiences are going to throw their lives away for a quick fix, and not be able to enjoy their life. I’d hope teachers would call their students on their use, and parents contact the correct speicalists to at least give the addict a shot. I know thats what i needed a little helpful push from family, friends and loved ones.
#22
Kathy Sandberg June 30, 2007 9:52 pm
Thanks for the clarification on submitting a comment. There was a question based on the information that Zach and I shared about gateway drugs. Generally, gateway drugs are considered to be tobacco, alcohol and marijuana. Although some people start with other mood altering chemicals, those are the most common across populations and over time. Although it is important to pay attention to the ebb and flow of drugs that become popular and then fade into the background, the most successful prevention efforts tend do not forget the drugs (including alcohol) where most use begins.
I am very encouraged by the discussion taking place. Communities that are successful in addressing and prevention alcohol and other drug use are ones that are willing to talk about it.
#23
Griff Wigley July 1, 2007 7:31 am
Kathy, it seems that there’s considerable research (see the citations here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gateway_drug
that indicates marijuana is not a gateway drug, but that tobacco is.
I’m sure there’s research to indicate the opposite!
What assumptions do you and Zach make in your programs?
#24
kiffi summa July 1, 2007 11:35 am
I have been very concernd for some years about the number of teen suicides in Northfield; as reported, much higher than in surrounding communities.
This is not a digression, but a related subject. I think that drug use, in any age group, is often self medication for depression….and escape route from things you seem powerless to change.
I’m very glad this discussion is ocurring, but sincerely hope the relevant professionals will join in and that there will be some outcomes.
Many previous times in Northfield we have had community discussions of “risky behaviors”, and having been present at some of those (I’m thinking in particular of one which was organized by a high school principal, and which had about 45 representative participants) and if anyone brought up the hard issues, the room went silent.
It sometimes seems that there is a reluctance to admit that NF has the same problems as the rest of the world, and that there may be cows, and colleges, elsewhere, but true contentment is a rare commodity.
There’s even another facet to the realm of addictions, and that is pornography.. and before anyone jumps on me, I know that it is a legal 1st amendment right for adults! That’s not the area or degree of pronography that I’m referring to. I’m talking about addiction; addiction to either adult or CHILD porn and the victims and negative behaviors that result. Another area of behavior that Northfielders are hesitant to discuss.
Let’s see if this forum can be used to “get the drunken uncle in the back bedroom” out onto the “front porch” and deal with the sadness of addictions for those experiencing them, as well as the impacts on the “innocents” surrounding them.
Challenge?
#25
Scott Oney July 1, 2007 12:48 pm
Not Given #20,
Thanks for posting. It helps a lot to have a clearer idea of what’s going on and how many people are involved.
I was always a kid who would try anything, so I definitely wouldn’t fault the 100, or even the 30. But that’s why you want to set up a community where kids may have to decide, say, whether or not to get drunk in the Arb or smoke pot in the high school parking lot, but where heroin is just something you hear about once in a while happening somewhere else.
If we took a closer look at the group of 10, it would probably turn out that only two or three were running the rest of them. (And they’re not your friends.) The local cops most likely have regular and frequent contact with them and know who they are; if not, they could probably find them out in about a day and a half. I know we have other pressing issues in town, and the local cops are stretched pretty thin harassing skateboarders and breaking up college keggers, but it would be nice to see them step up and do the right thing on this one.
#26
Griff Wigley July 2, 2007 8:00 am
Kiffi,
We’ll keep trying to do our part to heighten community awareness of the problem. Outcomes are harder to come by, since our attention spans are short.
#27
Bright Spencer July 2, 2007 8:55 am
When I was a preteen, I walked across the street from our apartment in Chicago to a Rexall ‘drug’ store and bought a paperback copy
of “Manchild in the Promised Land” by Claude Brown for some light summer reading, I liked the title, but did not know what I was
getting into at all. After reading this book, I remember saying
to myself something about how drug addiction is not the life for me.
I think it has been on required reading lists in schools across the country over the years.
http://www.amazon.com/Manchild-Promised-Land-Claude-Brown/
dp/0684864185/ref=pd_bbs_2/002-3309832-2225665?ie=UTF8&s=
books&qid=1183384036&sr=8-2
#28
Kathy Sandberg July 2, 2007 10:03 am
I am aware that the research sometimes takes issue with marijuana as a gateway drug. Similarly, I would guess others might take issue with alcohol and/or tobacco and many might say there are other mood altering chemicals that could be added to the “gateway” list. There certainly is some research suggesting that marijuana is at least a link to illicit drug use distinguishing it from alcohol and tobacco. Lest the point get lost in a discussion of what research we can find to support the inclusion or exclusion of certain chemicals, I would point out again the fact that heroin or other drugs are not the initiation place of mood altering chemical use. That point is significant, I believe, becuase it reminds us that our prevention and intervention efforts with regard to substance use should not wait until our kids are shooting heroin. Discussion should begin with our children in the same way as other health and safety issue talks…..early. Much of early prevention efforts never even mention chemicals but focus on healthy development; safe and dependable relationships; hopes and dreams for a fulfilling future; effective decision making and coping skills; and so on. As our children grow, best practices suggest we move on to sharing our values (both families and communities), setting firm limits, monitoring behavior and providing “a way back in” when kids make mistakes.
#29
Anne Bretts July 2, 2007 10:47 am
In all the talk about gateway drugs, it’s important to remember the underlying fact that reaction to most drugs is an individual reaction. That means that I could use marijuana recreationally for years and never become dependent or have it be a gateway to other drugs, just as I could get drunk nearly every weekend in college and yet never become an alcoholic — or drink more than socially after college. Others can drink just a bit or begin smoking and spend a lifetime battling addiction. The range is just phenomenal.
My dad was an alcoholic and chain smoker. I had no attraction to either substance, but have brothers who have in varying degrees. I can have alcohol in the house and not touch it for months — but ice cream is gone in a heartbeat. I know people who were problem drinkers at times in their lives and others who are alcoholics who can’t touch a drop.
My point is that when we tell kids that marijuana leads to other drugs, and it doesn’t, kids lose faith in all the other information they get.
It’s important to give kids accurate information about these complicated issues and teach them how to manage their personal health. We should not depend on simple blanket statements about drugs and alcohol. It’s really about getting in touch with your own personal balance and understanding your mind and body. That’s harder than “just say no,” but ultimately more effective.
#30
BruceWMorlan July 2, 2007 3:27 pm
Anne said
That may be true, but that is simply an indictment of an educational system that is unable to teach how the world works, in part because it does not work according to simplistic rules like
The challenge? How to teach all of that (which I believe is the underpinning of Annes’ complaint) to students who
Are being raised by a culture that promotes free-thinking as a god without its necessary partner, critical thinking. Or worse, only with its lame-o cousin, critical thinking just for its own sake.
Are being taught by educators who present black-and-white solutions because politics forces them to (see the related discussion on abstinance-only sex ed.)
See being entertained as a right, not an opportunity, and who complain if the rec. center is not open 24×7. “Hey society! Entertain us or we’ll start using drugs and trash your cities.”
#31
Anne Bretts July 2, 2007 7:08 pm
What the heck, Bruce, did the drugs fry your brain? You don’t remember the enlightened message of ‘Reefer Madness’ or the thoughtful ‘kiss a boy and you’ll end up hidden away in a home for unwed mothers where we’ll take your baby’ message of the Catholic Church? Kids today have much better information — if their parents use it. Educators are not responsible for kids, parents and grandparents and churches are responsible and need to talk about reality. I hung with alcoholics and even married a couple and nothing would have made me an addict. Yeah, there are some things that can influence people with a propensity for the behavior, and that’s what kids have to learn — what their weaknesses may be and how to deal with them.
Kids are no more spoiled or bored and destructive than earlier generations were — think of the hippies and the wannabes or the teens from ‘American Graffiti’ driving endlessly around the town square or the young thugs who ran the murdurous gangs of Capone’s day — or even Jesse James and company? They make today’s garage-robbing dopers seem pretty lame.
I didn’t have time to be bored because I helped raise six brothers and sisters and did laundry and chores all day. Many kids of my dad’s generation left school after eighth grade to work in the mines and the mills. Today kids have no siblings, no chores, no jobs and no sense of purpose. It is up to parents to find meaningful things for kids to do, not just lessons and camps and organized play. Kids need to feel they matter, so make them tutor young ones, read to old folks in nursing homes, build things, do things.
And Bruce, lighten up. You’re too young to be such a curmudgeon.
#32
Griff Wigley July 2, 2007 7:56 pm
From Police Chief Gary Smith:
#33
kiffi summa July 2, 2007 8:43 pm
Re: comment #30 by Anne Bretts…… Anne’s got it 100% correct here in her last paragraph. Absolutes only very rarely work with teens, in my experience. They need to be treated with the same respect adults treat other adults with whom they discuss problems and that goes for discussing hard/difficult topics that are threatening for everyone, of every age.
Youth is a lot stronger than we think; they have to be to get through the physical and emotional swings of their teen years.
Help them deal with their problems in the open, and we all grow. There’s no shame in having problems…….only shame for a community that rejects the notion that problems exist.
Read Anne’s last paragraph again……..
#34
Brendon Etter July 3, 2007 9:05 am
So much earnestness. I’ve heard that’s important. I offer this list as a public service: http://bleeet.blogspot.com/2007/06/sure-signs-that-your-teenager-is.html
#35
Scott Oney July 3, 2007 9:49 am
The Wednesday, July 4, Northfield News (out today, July 3) has an article about a new drive against heroin. Let’s hope it’s not too little, and not too late.
One point in the article may require comment. Police Chief Gary Smith is quoted as saying the habit frequently costs $600 to $700 per day. I’m pretty sure he has the decimal point one place too far to the right; perhaps someone with knowledge of the local scene could post an update.
#36
Griff Wigley July 3, 2007 10:58 am
Thanks for the heads-up on the Nfld News article, Scott. Police target heroin trend
Thanks to another reader for this alert to a Pioneer Press article on Chief Smith’s news conference today: Northfield police to announce new campaign against drugs and crime
#37
not given July 3, 2007 1:12 pm
Hello again
Scott, you are correct sir. Gary G was way off on the prices of the average user. I was a very heavy user, injecting anywhere from 1-3 grams a day. A gram costs $120 in minneapolis. Once the dealer gets it down to Northfield its closer to $300. The average dealer sells what they call “hundred bags” that being a third of a gram for $100. The average user does one at tops two of those bags a day. Gary is way off on his estimate. But let me clarify for him because he seems incapable. The average Dealer gets anywhere from $500-$2000 dollars worth of heroin in the cities to bring to Northfield a day. A DAY! Now if thats what he had said he’d have been a bit closer to the mark. But remember there are quite a few daily users (around 30).. so that $500-$2000 a day is just one dealer. And at my estimates there were three or so. Thats a lot of junk coming into Northfield, and the profits are outrageous even though most of it goes in the dealers arm or nose. I just thought i’d clarify for you Scott, and I’m very happy to help anyone in need of answers or a new way of life. There is more out there than that needle or next bump of dope.
#38
minnesota nobody July 3, 2007 4:49 pm
I personally agree with not given’s comments, having had relatives involved with heroin in Northfield. What I tend not to agree with is the fear mongering and staggering inaccuracy of Police Chief Gary Smith’s public commentary on the subject. $600-$800 a day? Maybe for the one or two seriously hardcore users in town, other than that these dealers, who aren’t typically high school kids but the children of wealthy citizens, business owners and to a lesser extent, unemployed junkies who live their lives driving to the city for dope, are basically hooking your friends, kids and anyone with some pocket money. Kids start out buying small bags, then work their way up as the tolerance rises. The fact that these dealers are continuously arrested and charged, yet bailed and released, or local business owners who ‘everybody’ knows sells dope can continue to operate with impunity. The cops even eat lunch at the guy’s place!!!
so, to conclude my rant I pose this question: Do we have a competenecy issue amongst our police administration? A corruption issue? A burning desire to be a TV star?
I suppose we’ll know when nothing results from “Not In My Backyard”
#39
John S. Thomas July 3, 2007 6:07 pm
Kare 11 and Fox 9 trucks in town, news articles on both.
#40
Anne Bretts July 3, 2007 6:12 pm
So back to the original post, is the problem really in the high school or among a handful of older teens and young adults? And who’s challenging the police department on its numbers?
As for the danger to the larger community, lock your car, lock your patio door and your front door when you leave home and live in the real world.
#41
John S. Thomas July 3, 2007 10:33 pm
Here are some links to the press coverage.
Fox 9
Kare 11
KSTP
#42
Griff Wigley July 3, 2007 10:44 pm
The Star Tribune’s web site has this article as its lead tonight:
Crime follows heroin to Northfield
http://www.startribune.com/crime/story/1284010.html
I met the reporter, Herón Márquez Estrada, this afternoon at the news conference and told him about this discussion thread. His article ends with:
#43
gary smith July 3, 2007 11:18 pm
Anne’s question about challenging our numbers. We got them from those who are using and those who are treating the individuals who are addicted. We were conservative.
#44
Parent of teens July 4, 2007 12:04 am
Northfield has had a big drug problem for many, many years. I moved to Northfield in 1999 to get my then 14 year old son away from the drugs in Burnsville, only to find out that the drug problem was far worse here in Northfield. One week after starting at the Northfield high school, he knew how to get ANY drug.
Three years ago my daughter and her friends drank vodka and orange juice in class, on a weekly bases. My daughter said that if you didn’t cause any problems, the teachers would not do any thing about it. Nobody talks about these problems because nobody want to admit that Northfield’s schools are just like any other school, whether it be Burnsville or North Minneapolis.
#45
Griff Wigley July 4, 2007 12:27 am
I’ve blogged the audio of today’s police press conference, along with a couple of photos:
http://locallygrownnorthfield.org/archives/1744/
Thx John, for digging up the links to the TV coverage.
#46
John S. Thomas July 4, 2007 8:19 am
Ok, I’m going to be the devil’s advocate here.
We have taken step one, and identified the problem.
This discussion has been going on for 13 days now, talking about how bad it is.
I think its time to move the discussion forward to the next phase, which is: “What are we going to do as a community, to solve this problem?”
It will take a community effort to solve this. Law enforcement will do what it can to take care of it, but they cannot do it on thier own.
I think it would be a prudent start to get the foundations of Chief Smith’s “Not in My Backyard” program published widely, and get the word out. Much of the theft prevention is easy, common sense stuff. It also has a component of “if you see something out of place, report it”.
As a community, we cannot continue to stand on the sidelines and be complacent. We must act.
I have already been taking steps to make sure my property is more secure, and watching over my neighborhood. I have made a point to know my neighbors, and thier habits, so that if something doesnt look right, it gets attention. That is just good practice.
Today, there will be conversations with my 8 year old about this. It might be a tough converstation, but its time to start, as he saw the headlines today, and picked up “Crime” and “Northfield”.
I would much rather keep his focus on music, nature, and Yugioh cards… not drugs.
We have a great community here, and a great cross section posting here are LocallyGrown. I challenge you then, to ask yourself, what can I personally do to make this situation better, and erradicate it from the community?
I’m here. Tell me what I can do as “Joe Average Citizen” to help solve the problem.
Regards,
-John Thomas
#47
Ross Currier July 4, 2007 8:59 am
I sent the following e-mail to City, Chamber and EDA leadership this morning:
Reading the front page headline of the StarTribune this morning, where Northfield is summarized to the state of Minnesota as being overrun by heroin-fueled criminals, made me think that perhaps the NDDC, the EDA, and the Chamber of Commerce should just shut our doors and give up on efforts to recruit talented workers, high-paying jobs, and new businesses.
I also pity Carleton and St. Olaf in their current work to attract new students when the parents read that the colleges’ dorms are under assault by drug-crazed addicts intent on stealing anything not nailed down.
It’s hard not to feel like the last four years of our work hasn’t been shot to hell with a single headline.
Have a great Fourth of July, we’ve got much to do come next week.
#48
Cathy Malecha July 4, 2007 9:48 am
What is going on here? Are there really that many parents in Northfield turning their cheeks to the drug use in town? This problem has been on-going for a very long time. After having my two oldest children through NHS, I contemplate - very seriously, whether or not Northfield is still the place to educate my youngest three.
Although difficult to admit, I myself had a child that experienced drugs in Northfield. I chose NOT to turn my cheek and ignore the problem, and I spent the hard earned money and sent him through a treatment program. Never, will I ever regret that. The harsh reality hits when you see these kids - from age 13 - 18, talking about the garbage that can be picked up from any Tom, Dick or Susan on the street. It’s not only Heroin! It’s the pot, the mushrooms, the ADD medications, cocain, crack, etc. Some of these kids will snort, shoot or smoke anything they can get their hands on!
Take a long hard look at your kids - parents! Someone needs to start putting their foot down and make the changes. I’m tired of my vehicle being broken into and my mail being stolen - so that your child’s drug habit can be supported. So many in Northfield have been quick to stereotype many individuals in this town - and attach them to the drug problems here. You hear about the “south” end of town — but take a listen to the sirens and the police calls for a night or two…. Read the paper. You’ll see where the problems are.
Stop turning your heads! Start being parents to your children! Someday they will respect you the way they should - and thank you for saving their lives. Believe me, THAT is priceless.
#49
Paul Zorn July 4, 2007 9:49 am
I’m appalled to hear that there’s any substantial or organized heroin use in Northfield. I’m surprised, too, but that’s probably just my own naivete.
Any illicit heroin use is bad, and the associated crime it generates is arguably even worse. Still, we need some realistic sense of the scale of our problem in order to avoid denial at one extreme or hysteria at the other. Measurement is obviously difficult in such situations, and I don’t question anyone’s good faith or competence.
So much said, the numbers being mentioned don’t compute for me. 150-200 addicts with $500-$800 daily habits adds up to $75K-$160K a day, or something north of $30 million a year. Is this really possible? Today’s Strib reports, for example, around 250 total home and auto burglaries in 2006. Even if *all* that loot went toward heroin, it couldn’t pay for more than a few days at these rates.
What am I missing?
#50
Northfield resident July 4, 2007 10:08 am
Has anyone taken a look at the INSIDE of Northfield High School? According to MANY students, these dealers walk around the halls of NHS with drugs in their pockets. Oxycontin sells for big bucks there. So does Adderall. The teachers in our school know full well what is happening, but don’t do anything about it. Whatever you do Northfield, don’t ruffle any feathers. Too many are worried about giving up the names of these kids that are having the parties, those who are going on the burner runs, etc. Why? Because who is going to fund all of these non profit organizations that so many belong to if their children are found to be drug users? Whatever you do, don’t ruin a big name in this town! What a joke. What was the NPD trying to prove by having a NEWS CONFERENCE? Why not call a PUBLIC town meeting first and give the residents a chance to get involved before involving the state of Minnesota? Are they too trying to run to good, hard working people, with clean kids - out of town? It’s working on my end. I’ve had enough. Outraged. That’s exactly how I feel.
NORTHFIELD — STOP WORRYING ABOUT THE DAMN SKATEBOARDS ON THE STREETS AND START CRACKING DOWN ON THIS PROBLEM! START WALKING INTO BUSINESSES - AND TAKE A HARD LOOK! THERE ARE BUSINESS OWNERS DOING IT TOO!!!!!!
#51
Anthony Pierre July 4, 2007 10:19 am
The drug problem in Northfield isn’t new. A good friend of mine is spending 2 years in prison because of it. I don’t understand why this is such a big story.
Can someone tell me why this story got so much press? 3 indictments?
was it because of this?
from the strib
>Police said they decided to go public in hopes of getting these dealers and >fences to stop doing business with Northfield’s addicts.
Dealers and Fences aren’t normally law abiding citizens, and if you know who the dealers and fences are, please put them in jail.
#52
Tracy Davis July 4, 2007 10:29 am
The level of hysteria is getting ridiculous.
While not minimizing the problem of illegal drug use in Northfield, I’m questioning a lot of the assertions made here. First, I understand the difficulty in quantifying illegal activity unless you go by drug busts - of which, according to the Strib article, have been less than a handful, with the corresponding thimbleful of heroin.
If you want kids to self-report usage, I question whether something so associated with peer pressure might not tend to inflate these anecdotal numbers.
I also question the characterization of “alpha” kids. A jock and/or a kid who makes good grades may be viewed by adults as an alpha, but I don’t think that correlates into being granted the same status by their peers.
I’m reminded of the 19th-century classic, “Extraordinary Public Delusions and the Madness of Crowds”, which offers an explanation for the way that normally reasonable people can get swept along by the hysteria of others.
I have three children in school here - or I should say, had, until my eldest graduated last year. I’ll have two children at the high school this fall and I’m not terribly concerned about their safety. And it’s not because I’m naive or negligent; it’s because I really know my kids. And I know their friends. And in most cases I know their friends’ parents.
Drug/heroin use in Northfield is a serious issue, but I don’t think it’s a huge social problem. There’s a difference.
#53
Anne Bretts July 4, 2007 11:18 am
Wow, Ross. People are talking about a serious problem and your concern is how a single headline about it reflects on your public relations campaign.
Get a grip, buddy. There are huge crime problems in New York City and it manages to be the business capital of the country.
Don’t blame the media or the press conference. Your site here has fed the discussion that fed the news stories that fed the press conference.
Northfield will recover. Fireworks and boating accidents will be on front page tomorrow and the media will move on to the next easy story. Perhaps then we can focus on getting some perspective and some realistic benchmarks so that six months from now we can know whether things are better or worse — and just what better and worse means. Think how great it will be to have a press conference about that. Great headlines, great PR.
Remember, lots of communities are dealing with the same problem and have been for years. Am I the only one who remembers that every high school kid in the 60s was going to be drug addict?
I’m not minimizing the problem here, but I’m always skeptical of the “everybody knows” anecdotes. The chief has given his best numbers on the use of this one drug, and some information on what to do about it. Perhaps people can focus on tackling this specific issue, measure the results, then determine the best approach and measure the impact on the next drug on the list. Along the way we can see how the city compares to others in these areas — and maybe learn something from their success or failure.
The mayor has a youth task force on drugs and alcohol an the Healthy Community Inniative and other groups are in place as resources. So maybe the people here who are concerned can stay involved and make a difference.
So where do we need to be in six months to say we’ve done more than talk?
#54
victor summa July 4, 2007 12:27 pm
Accolades to comments like Tracy’s, Paul Zorn’s, and Anthony Pierre’s and some others too for making some rather practical observations. It’s hard, coming down on the side of more liberal reasoning as they have expressed here.
It’s also hard to not get irritated with what might seem an unwarranted attack on the community… and it’s especially hard to challenge personal testimonials… such as: ” I’ve been there with my kids… and I know what’s the real facts are”.
Still, as Paul and Anthony both point out in painfully simple ways: The numbers don’t seem to add up… or “Arrest the wrong doers.”
Then there’s the MEDIA! I tried to watch all the local TV outlet’s packages on this topic. All it seemed blew it out of proportion and reduced the topic to sensationalism - but… if their merely taking advantage of the Press Conference… you can’t fault them for covering the story.
What you can fault them for is throwing in “file footage of dark hallway shots of unidentified arms and legs injecting . To the casual viewer this might purport to be actual footage from Northfield. One station used interview footage of a Drug Enforcement Agent’s comments. Were these (comments) the result of a timely interview about Northfield… or was this also anecdotal footage from the files… simply adding misinformation to the story? Who could tell. Fault the commercial TV outlets.
It’s a hard call. Orange juice and vodka in the classroom? Drug sales in the school’s hallways. A Bridge Square gone wild? Cops at local eateries “turning the eyes away from Drug deals”. If all true, seems like a whole lot of eye averting going on!
I recall when we lived in Lake Forrest Illinois; Lake Forest College was frequently accused by townies of “cover up” in the matter of reporting sexual abuse on their campus… to protect the school’s image, it was mused. Some of that syndrome has been discussed here on LG, “underreporting”. So, maybe the blogs and the blogosphere add to the problem along with the police process, the media… and the kids who are (or aren’t) getting out of control.
Whomever said: “if the magnitude of the problem is as we’ve been told, perhaps we need a town meeting… not a press conference where press credentials are necessary to attend” ? That person was right.
Clearly accurate and timely information is essential.
I’d start with a group of adults who have the respect of teenagers… meeting with the Teens in a publicly televised (Access TV) open discussion - no names just facts and questions and answers. Let the kids chair the event and maybe let the kids pick the adults they want included in the dialogue. I’d avoid the Mayor’s Tack Force on Youth - don’t avoid those kids… but that politically correct facet of process… and I’d avoid the Cops and the professional social agencies’ involvement as well.
That is reduce the “‘agenda” prone participants
Let the NPD, the City Staff and the School District and the City Council, and the Sociologists sit in and observe.
And I’d take it off the blogs.
You’ll notice I haven’t mentioned the local media. Are they even capable of covering such an issue with meaningful investigation and reporting? Don’t know.
But I do know if Northfield takes the lead in the discussion rather than merely being the subject of the discussion, It’ll turn the problem into a positive.
#55
mieon kirsestion July 4, 2007 12:55 pm
The James brothers visit to Northfield was about 1000 times better than the current visit of heroin. Local residents broke out the shotguns to rid the evil James brothers. Maybe the guns need to brought out again! mieon
#56
Holly Cairns July 4, 2007 12:56 pm
Holy…
You know, my daughter had a friend who had her cell phone and iPod stolen. That kid lives in Nerstrand and is a very sweet kid.
Anyway, the thief called my daughter from the stolen cell phone (I think that is how it happened). Later, the police called my daughter and we were scared by the tone and questions.
Now I get it– but I hope that my daughter isn’t considered part of any network… she’s a good kid by the way.
But I guess it’s better to have inquiry and upfront discussion rather than letting the problem get worse. I think it is great that the police are open and upfront. More eyes are better in this situation.
It worries me that there are “alpha” kids involved in this. We had heard rumors that a 4.0 kid we knew was using, but I thought I heard cocaine. I wonder– How can kids stay “alpha” on coaine, or on heroin? Especially heroin…
I didn’t run into a lot of drugs at NHS, and I bet that you can still be involved there and not be “turning away” from it– in fact, the teachers my kids have had up there and at the middle school wouldn’t turn a blind eye just to protect a name (as said in post #51). And, if the business leaders are into drugs? ( as said in post #51). Wow- a smear of ALL teachers and businesses in ju