We, at the Genoa Township Police Department, are dedicated to providing any assistance necessary that helps parents when their children look to them for support and guidance in working out problems and making decisions.

An important area of concern is the use of dangerous drugs. It is a fact that adolescent drug and alcohol use is increasing and parents should be concerned. To help our families better understand the effects and consequences of alcohol and drug abuse, we have provided the following information.

ALCOHOL ABUSE

Underage drinking is the biggest epidemic affecting our children today. The average age of adolescents trying alcoholic beverages for the first time continues to become younger. As a parent, here is what you can do:

· Refuse to provide alcohol to children.

· Be at home when your teen has a party.

· Talk to other parents about adolescent drug abuse.

· Most importantly, talk to your children about alcohol abuse.

DRUG ABUSE

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the average age of the first-time user of marijuana is13 ½ years. The use of marijuana is usually the first drug that is tried before moving on to other more powerful narcotics.

Here are some signs and warning signals that might show your child has or is using drugs :

BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS

o Withdrawal

o Depression

o Fatigue

o Hostility

o Deteriorating relationships with family members and friends

o Change in academic performance

o Increase in absenteeism or truancy

· Appear dizzy and have trouble walking

· Silly or giggly for no reason

· Signs of drugs and drug paraphernalia including rolling papers and pipes

· Have very red bloodshot eyes

· Use of incense and other deodorizers

· Have a hard time remembering things that just happened

· Use of eye drops

· Clothing, posters, jewelry promoting drug use

· Sleeping more than usual

“The only way to prevent your child from using drugs is to be open. Talk to them, warn them, and be aware of everything going on in your child's life.”

Our current drug threat here in Ohio is cocaine, in powder and crack form. Also, on the rise is low cost, high purity heroine, however, marijuana is still the most abused drug of choice.

Favored drugs of today:

Cocaine: Crack and Powder form

Heroine

Methamphetamine

Club Drugs:

Ectasy (MDMA) Club drug of choice

GHB

Ketamine

LSD

Marijuana

Oxycontin

Genoa Township Police Department

7049 Big Walnut Rd.

Galena Ohio 43021

Main  (740) 965-4340

Fax  (740) 965-9338

This site was last updated on 04/29/05

If you have any questions, please contact us.