Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
IRONWOOD PUBLIC Safety Officer Matt Sterbenz demonstrates a water bottle that can be taken apart to reveal a secret compartment used to hide drugs at a community awareness presentation at Luther L. Wright Wednesday.
By RICHARD JENKINS
Ironwood - Members of the Ironwood Public Safety Department held a community awareness program Wednesday to bring attention to the potential problems of drugs and alcohol in the area, particularly relating to schools and young people.
Director Andrew DiGiorgio began by reminding the audience the trends regarding drug and alcohol abuse by young people are constantly changing, and it can be difficult to stay on top of the information.
"Myself, as a parent, I'm always learning - and I'm in the business. (Officer Matt Sterbenz, who was doing the presentation) shows me stuff and I'm just blown away. It's always evolving, always changing, and I feel that people think maybe they came to this last year and it's the same information. It's changing every year," DiGiorgio said.
He also reassured parents that while some of the items have had a local presence, the issue was really a national problem. He said with the Internet, the information was readily accessible to kids everywhere.
"I don't want to give this impression that all these things are happening all the time in this school," DiGiorgio said. "But these are on YouTube, on the Internet. Kids have access to all this information.
"Ironwood was kind of that sheltered place, and the Internet has kind of brought everything to us now."
With the introduction over, Sterbenz began by discussing some of the warning signs that a loved one may be using drugs.
There are a range of physical and behavioral characteristics, Sterbenz said, that while certainly not guarantees of drug use, could cause concern if there aren't clear causes.
The symptoms ranged from bloodshot eyes and frequent nosebleeds to tremors and a loss of coordination.
Behaviors that Sterbenz said could be warning signs included a sudden preoccupation in drug-related clothing and culture, frequently getting in trouble and using incense and air fresheners to cover the scent of potential drug use.
Sterbenz also said any sudden physical or behavioral changes changes - such as changes in appetite or sleep patterns, a decline in grades or attendance, loss of interest in hobbies or extracurricular activities or changes in friend groups - could be cause for concern.
Sterbenz said it was important to listen to your child when discussing if they used drugs, adding they likely weren't doing it just to be cool.
"Most drug users have problems they haven't been able to deal with," Sterbenz said.
He added that giving them attention is important and even if they don't show it, they appreciate the care.
Sterbenz said it was never too early to talk about drugs.
He then transitioned to a discussion of the various ways teens have begun consuming alcohol, not only through drinking it but also vaporizing it or absorbing through various parts of the body - including the eyeball.
Consuming alcohol like this is especially dangerous, Sterbenz warned, because not only can it damage those body parts, but it bypasses the body's natural safety mechanisms designed to prevent alcohol poisoning.
Sterbenz also discussed the various drugs that are abused, covering everything from marijuana, acid and prescription pills to cough medicine and inhalants.
He also described some common items used as drug paraphernalia, including empty pens or drinking straws
Ultimately, Sterbenz warned parents to be vigilant, saying that they should trust their gut if they suspect a child is using drugs.
"If you think your kids are using drugs, bring them to the hospital, have them tested," Sterbenz said.
He said that much like the Internet can expose kids to different drugs, it can also provide information to parents. He urged parents to Google anything they found they were unfamiliar with in their kids' rooms or conversations.
After the presentation, Sterbenz said while he wished more people had attended the event - approximately 12 people were in the audience - he thought it went well. He also said it was clearly an important topic.
"We would all like to think 'my kids won't use drugs, alcohol or tobacco,' but people make poor choices all the time," Sterbenz said in an email to the Daily Globe. "Their choices, good or bad, will effect (them) for the rest of (their) lives."
"... By educating and becoming more involved in children's lives, hopefully they will make better choices before it's too late. Nobody wants to be that person (that thinks) later on, 'Why didn't I do more.'"
Sterbenz also provided several websites that can help parents. The Gogebic Iron Anti Narcotics Team can be contacted at 1-855-644-4219 or at giantdrugteam.com. Parents can also visit justthinktwice.com, getsmartaboutdrug.com and teensdrugabuse.gov for more information.
