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Drugs negatively affecting local area

By Lucas Campbell editorial Assistant 6 min read

The exasperating, blaring sound of the alarm that resonates through his room at 6:30 a.m. might be one of the most peaceful parts of his day. But as he gradually dresses with his suit pants and shirt he knows how important that day’s work just might be.

The serenity of an early morning cup of coffee as he wanders throughout the neighborhood with the two things he can always count on. Things in his life that have remained constant for several years: his two dogs.

John Fox, Greene County Drug and Alcohol Director, drives through the congested morning rush of Waynesburg traffic, knowing that is the effortless ride of the day, the real ride begins when he arrives at work.

Fox oversees the daily operation in the recovery of drug and alcohol abuse in Greene County; however, he knows his daily ride is more like an uphill battle. With a staff of only five people and limited funding, Fox’s tasks only become magnified with the rash of incidents that have arisen.

With high unemployment rates, low income residents and below than average living conditions being the unshakeable impression of Greene County for the past several years, the widespread amount of drugs that are being illegally produced and sold throughout the area is recently overshadowing those issues.

Several larger cases have recently struck the rural landscape of the area, an opportune space to grow and move an abundance of various drugs.

“Folks feel that we are so secluded and feel like they can find a little patch out in the middle of nowhere and grow something,” said Fox.

Earlier this month, three men were arrested and are facing charges after state police found a marijuana growing operation in Morgan Township. Police removed the 92 marijuana plants from a chicken coop on a farm stretching 132 acres. The estimated amount of money for the plants recovered was around $200,000.

Earlier this year in January, two suspects were charged with the intent to deliver heroin, conspiracy to deliver heroin, possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia. Officers recovered about $6,500, 111 stamp bags of heroin, along with syringes and other necessities.

There are many opinions to what is leading to the intense growth and movement of drugs within the area.

One favorable belief is the individual’s vulnerability of prescription drugs with a constant itching to attain a better high. Popular narcotic painkillers such as oxycodone, normally sold as Percocet, and hydrocodone, sold as Vicodin are the likely start of these addictions.

“For a lot of folks, that slippery slope starts with prescription pain medication,” said Fox. “Some people take more than they should or more often than they should. Maybe they cannot get them filled and that is when they start to go through withdrawal. Prescription pills on the street are expensive and for some drug abuse, it follows the path of economics.”

In an investigative report recently published, heroin is more easily accessible and cheaper than both wine and a six-pack of beer in Pennsylvania.

“Some people think they cannot afford to buy OxyContin but they can buy two stamped bags of heroin for $15,” said Fox. “And sadly that is how it begins.”

But the real nerve-racking discovery is the extension of these drugs in the local high schools in Greene County.

“We discuss a lot of how these drugs are being dispersed,” said Fox, who refers to this time period as the Depression Era Mentality. “We keep a lot of medications in the drug cabinet just in case and unfortunately that is how it starts in youths. When that is exhausted they look for other ways to get their hands on things.”

Every two years, the Pennsylvania Youth Survey is given to the five high schools located in Greene County to learn about their behavior, attitudes and knowledge concerning the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol. Where the concerns are primarily found in those students are with under-age drinking, smoke and smoke-less tobacco and marijuana.

“We get many referrals of young kids smoking marijuana,” said Fox. “I credit a lot to the prevention program that we have in all five school districts. They provide a host of different prevention programs starting in kindergarten. Along with a series of programs called ‘Interrupted,’ which target smoking, marijuana and under-age drinking, and it is successful.”

Holding onto the success stories is what allows Fox to continue to take a positive attitude into a negative situation.

The Greene County Drug and Alcohol Program, which was started in November 2000, is an affordable and easily accessible way for members of the community to get the assistance they need.

“If a person has been arrested, when they leave jail they might have a valid need for treatment,” said Fox. “We can work with them coming out of jail so they can receive appropriate treatment. That way they are not re-offended and are able to try and get their lives turned around.”

Fox feels that the way for a decrease in the drug problem to occur is the correct motivation to do so.

“When a person comes in themselves on their own motivation then half the battle is already won,” said Fox. “Sadly people don’t make life changing differences after one episode of treatment. We often talk about planting seeds and hoping one of those seeds takes hold. If I can change one persons’ life each day then I am doing something right.”

But the difficult balancing act comes after Fox leaves the office for the night to come home to his empty house, with the exception of his two devoted companions.

He pauses and woefully admits that there is no end to some work days. Dinner and relaxation normally being replaced with emails, text messages and phone calls regarding the thing he wants to escape from.

But Fox knows there is no escape. He knows that not every drug problem can be solved. He knows that he is only one man.

As he lies his head down gently on his pillow he awaits the one thing that can improve drug issues around Greene County.

The sound of his alarm clock.

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