In a recent article in the Upton & Mendon Town Crier Mendon Assistant Fire Chief Bucchino states he feels Mendon is not seeing the same rate of increase in heroin overdoses that other cities/towns in Massachusetts have seen. Bucchino noted from 2005 through 2012 the department responded to a total of 6 heroin overdoses. In 2013 the department responded to two heroin overdoses in a one year span.
The statistics presented by Bucchino in the article may not show the same pattern the state is seeing but six overdoses over seven years versus two overdoses in the last year might warrant a red flag for the small community of Mendon.
Bucchino said in the same article that he speculates one of the reasons Mendon hasn’t seen an increase in heroin overdoses is because the Mendon teens don’t attend high school in Mendon. He also stated the population size and age of the residents in Mendon were also a factor.
The Mendon Upton school district is trying to engage the community in an open dialogue about substance abuse. Unfortunately the message Mendon may inadvertently be sending the community in the recent Upton & Mendon Town Crier article is Mendon isn’t concerned about heroin.
Mendon residents should be aware that teen heroin use is on the rise statewide.
Mendon teens are not shielded from this growing problem because Mendon’s high school is in Upton. The problem is an increased number of teens statewide using heroin and Upton/Mendon parents need to know teens in this community have been exposed to the drug.
On March 24 at Nipmuc High School there is a Substance Abuse Community Forum and Discussion open to the community. Parents of preteen through college age kids should attend to become better informed. Open dialogue between parents and children about drugs is the number one deterrent.
Even if you do not think your kid would ever be involved with drugs attend the event anyway. Maybe you can help someone’s child/teen/college student. Maybe you can see the signs and warn another parent. Get informed, stay informed, save a life!
Substance Abuse Commuity Forum and Discussion
Monday, March 24, 2014
6:30pm-8:30pm
Nipmuc Regional High School Cafeteria
90 Pleasant Street, Upton
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https://uptondaily.com/2014/02/19/what-you-need-to-know-about-teens-and-heroin-use-in-massachusetts/
https://uptondaily.com/2014/03/08/upton-police-department-shares-video-on-heroin-and-addiction/
Source Mendon Upton Town Crier – Are Heroin Overdoses a Rising Problem in Upton and Mendon?
UPTON DAILY 