They didn't expect a big crowd. Sponsors of a forum on heroin reserved a room the library that was too small to accommodate the hundreds of people who came out to hear the presentation on heroin in Naperville.
Between the young people who have died or the arrest of those selling the drug, the issue is starting to resonate in the community. In fact, the south end of Naperville has been called "ground zero" in the fight against heroin. The issue does center on south Naperville but the drug plays no favorites, as has been said.
How big an issue is it in your neighborhood?
Did you attend the forum? Should there be more?
RELATED "Finally, the community is starting to care" Denise Crosby column
Heroin a big concern for many
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Lets see, grown in Afghanistan under the noses of the US Military.
Brought into the USA over our still wide open Southern Border
And the money is cleaned through our financial systems.
All under the control of the Federal Government.
The Federal Government must like the Heroin business.
Jerry,
Anyone can break someone of that bad habit in about 2-3 minutes. All you do is repeat UMM every time they say it.
Even if they continue to have trouble collecting their thoughts, remembering where they are, or what they were saying they won't say UMM! Sometimes silence is golden...
Just watched the program the NPD detectives gave at the library on youtube. The one detective needs to stop saying UMM so many times. Really took away from his message.
We have a problem with drug abuse in Naperville and it is not limited to just abuse by children.
If we want to just address part of the problem, i.e. the part affecting children, the abuse will never go away. Children learn from their parents. If drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or anything else is being abused in the home by the parents and the children are growing up with it, it does affect their attitude and sense of what is normal and acceptable.
If you want to know who is doing drugs talk to the kids, they know. If you want to know who is selling drugs talk to the kids, they know. If you want to know what they think about drug use and abuse talk to the kids and they will tell you what they know and think because they and their friends do talk about it... a lot. That doesn't mean they are doing drugs, but they do have a lot of natural curiosity about what is going on and especially what is going on with the kids they know.
Oh, and in case anyone missed this part... for kids Facebook for making drug connections is far more prolific than Craig's list ever was for prostitution. Believe it.
The problem is most adults, and even too many parents, don't take the time to know, understand, and relate to their own kids and their friends much less understand what they are going through. As a result these kids start to feel isolated and lonely even when with other people and start looking for an easy escape which drugs readily provide.
Not making things any better or easier for easily impressionable kids is the glorification of drugs we hear in songs and see in movies and the horrible behavior displayed by politicians, movie stars, singers, athletes, and socialites who also abuse drugs.
And no one in this county has a clue on how to stop or control illegal drug sales or drug abuse, why? Just follow the money. No one in power who is making money off illegal drugs cares if spoiled kids from Naperville get addicted, in fact spoiled kids with enough spending money are exactly who they are targeting.
Bd,
No, you started. By attacking and being insulting because you did not like the message.
As for now, me thinketh you protest to much.
Grow up bd ----- the heroin problem in Naperstan is big, and parents have been either pretending otherwise or whistling in the graveyard and hoping it would go away.
It is now at critical mass and people are acknowledging it and beginning to move on it. Kudos, but my point is they should have started 30 years ago when we were told it was an issue.
Now, we have Linden Oaks (always booked), kids dying, sex for drugs ---- all those things we thought did no exist here.
Oh, one more thing: quit pretending the parents actually saw the light on their own. I think you all owe a debt to Ms, Crosby of the SUN --- she has been relentless in her efforts to shake the parents of Naper awake.
THAT is where the true kudos belong.
First of all, I was not just referrring to the 90's. My husband worked with teens until two years ago. Second, as to the parents of these teens, it was not because they didn't care or love their children, but were in denial that their children could possibly be into drugs and alcohol.
I think it's wonderful that the parents are now willing to hear as much information as possible, and are now attending these meetings. But I also believe that if the newspaper journalist didn't continue to write a column on Heroin week after week, maybe these parents would still be in denial. And perhaps if my husband had the newspaper and the journalists to back him up, this awakening might have happened sooner.
In short, attack the messenger to hide the message
xxx
lol, so exactly what is your message anonymous? you criticize naperville parents in the 80's,
" the parents and leaders basically booed him and told hm he was full of it,"
you criticize them now,
" being a best friend has led to our dirty little heroin problem".
And now this whole "best friend" comment! Drugs are around at all schools, you seem to have taken an interest in what you think is a Naperville drug problem caused by the lack of involvement, understanding and denial? whatever.
I merely pointed out your flawed logic, and the fact that over 600 people attended the seminar at the library. seems like a lot of involvement for a town that you say has parents who care very little.
I took offense at your comment, and to Ms. Sweeneys comment to the extent that your comments assume that Naperville has a drug problem primarily caused by parents who are indifferent, or unknowing. I get a kick out of your new addition of a parent being a "friend", and building "self esteem". Perhaps you realized too late that this doesn't work yourself? Most of us already knew that approach wouldn't work which is why we thankfully didn't have problems.
Elaine Sweeney,
I forgot to add in my post to ig darling ---- thanks formyour post and for your husband's efforts.
Big darling,
Sounds like I hit a chord with you ---- having problems with your little darlings?
I find your logic severely flawed --- if I was around, I must be part of the problem? It is thnking like that which existed in 1980, and which is here now (highlighted by you). In short, attack the messenger to hide the message. Very adult of you, very progressive of you. You must be your kids best friend.
Of course, being a best friend has led to our dirty little heroin problem, but thats okay-- at least they all have high self esteem!
They did not seem to have the time for such a meeting, because after all, their children did not have a problem - drug, alcohol, or otherwise. My husband even attended meetings at the different high schools, where the attendance of parents was almost non-existant. And the parents that did attend did not seem to take what was being said about drugs and alcohol seriously.
xxxx
So Elaine if your point is that parents in the 90's didn't care about their kids using drugs I guess you made your point, although I'm a little skeptical. Yes, Thankfully, I guess parents now finally care about their kids in 2012 as the story in the Sun pointed out:
When some 300 people packed the large meeting room set aside for the gathering, organizers wound up repeating the event for another group just as large who couldn’t get in for the first round and waited 90 minutes in the hall.
I am keeping my fingers crossed that parents in Naperville are finally waking up! After moving back to Naperville in 1995, my husband continued the Sunburst program that he started back in the 1980's. He would go to the Riverwalk every evening, where there was always a large group of teens "hanging out". He started by speaking to them about their problems and concerns, either relating to school, parents, their peers etc. After the weather had gotten a bit cold, and he had a large enough group to warrent a regular weekly meeting, the kind people at the Township let him have these meetings in the Township building. Needless to say, he helped many teens. He constantly tried to get the parents involved by having a parents meeting on a different day at the Township building, but to no avail. They did not seem to have the time for such a meeting, because after all, their children did not have a problem - drug, alcohol, or otherwise. My husband even attended meetings at the different high schools, where the attendance of parents was almost non-existant. And the parents that did attend did not seem to take what was being said about drugs and alcohol seriously.
My husband is no longer with us, but I know that he would be so hopeful - as am I. that the parents in Naperville are FINALLY starting to get their heads out of the sand, and facing reallity. Let's hope so.
It is about time the parents and leaders of this town acknowledged that our little darlings are the same as those eveywhere.
xxx
So Anonymous, if you were around in 1980 I guess that makes you part of the problem, no? There isn't anyone who has a school age child now who had a school age child in 1980. so unfortunately people like you didn't do anything either.
all of my kids have had well organized city, park district, police, school training on the dangers of drugs, and if that wasn't enough I was very involved with teaching them the dangers of drugs. Thankfully mine didn't have any trouble or issues, but in a city of 140,000 you would have to be very sheltered to believe a small percentage of any cities kids won't become involved. The fact that so many parents showed up is a testament to how strong the parent network is in Naperville. You seem to have an axe to grind with someone, perhaps your "little darlings" have been disappointing?
It is about time the parents and leaders of this town acknowledged that our little darlings are the same as those eveywhere.
I remember way back around 1980 sd203 had then famous undercover cop from NYC come in to talk about drugs. Without telling anyone, he came days early and "researched" (ie went undercover), and at his talk he informed the community that they had a drug problem. Of course, the parents and leaders basically booed him and told hm he was full of it ---- our children did NOT do drugs!
He was right than, Crosby is right now, and here we are.