Survey: Drug use rampant
‘If anything, Saco’s perception is low’
Publication: Portland Press Herald
By Larry David Hansen
Staff Writer
SACO – A vast majority of 860 residents who answered a recent survey believe drug and alcohol use among Saco youth is prevalent and something must be done to stop it.
The survey was conducted last fall by a 16-member citizen task force which is developing a drug and alcohol education program in Saco. Results were released this month.
The poll reveals that 74 percent of respondents believe young people ages 12 to 18 use marijuana, 84 percent feel the city’s young people are abusing alcohol, 42 percent perceive a problem with cocaine use and 30 percent feel some young people are using harder drugs, such as heroine.
Yet the survey may not reveal the true picture, according to Bud Roberts, youth aid officer/investigator for the Saco police department. He said drug and alcohol use in Saco may be more widespread than residents realize.
“If anything, Saco’s perception is low,” Roberts said.
The task force, called STANDD-UP (Saco, Thornton Academy, Notre Dame, Dayton Under Pressure), is working to develop a first-of-its-kind program for Saco within the next six months, said Barbara Garnis, a community development specialist for the organization.
Over the next few months, STANDD-UP members will use the survey results to develop an educational program that may include requiring drug education in area schools, said group coordinator Margo Audiffred.
But the program will not be focused entirely on Saco’s youth: Adult problems also will be addressed because:
• 74 percent of respondents say Saco adults drive while under the influence.
• 52 percent say adults serve alcohol to minors at bars.
• 68 percent say adults serve alcohol to intoxicated adults.
STANDD-UP’s efforts will receive funding over the next three years from the state Department of Educational and Cultural Services division of Alcohol and Drug Education Services.
This year, the state gave $110,000 to Medical Care Development, a non-profit research firm in Augusta, to start two pilot drug and alcohol programs in two Maine communities. The firm chose Saco and Skowhegan. The funding provides STANDD-UP with professional consultation from the York County Counseling Services.
In the meantime, police, teachers and community workers say the drug and alcohol problem is real.
“Things are changing. One of the things we’re seeing is something we haven’t seen in a while – LSD,” Roberts said. “It looks like it’s becoming popular again.”
Roberts said the psychedelic drug can now be found not only in Saco but throughout York County.
“We have a recent case that showed a supply of acid being available to street kids,” said Charles Labonte, Saco’s deputy police chief.
But he added that, “the biggest thing seems to be cocaine right now,” and drug and alcohol users are also younger today than ever before.
“Fifteen years ago, drug and alcohol use began in the high schools. Now, they (drugs) are in the junior highs, in the sixth grade,” he said.
Paulette Savoie, a K-8 curriculum coordinator for the Saco school system, said she has witnessed a drug and alcohol problem at the elementary level.
“I know of one child in the elementary school who was taken away to Jackson Brook Institute for detoxification,” she said.
But drug use at that young level is not the major battle school counselors face, Savoie said. The worst problem is when drug and alcohol abuse in the family affects a child’s personal growth.
Saco residents, according to the survey, believe parents ultimately are responsible for the problem – 99 percent of respondents say parents should be responsible for drug and alcohol education.
Saco residents also said they support drug-education programs. About 90 percent said they would “very much or somewhat” support or participate in programs to help parents communicate more effectively with children.