A talk about drugs to parents and their kids
By Bob Robinson

ANSONIA – It was brutal and it was an eye opener… “That’s why we didn’t include kindergarten through second grade. It wouldn’t have been a good idea.”

Ansonia Elementary School Principal Krista Stump talked about the March 3 visit from Joe Van Vickle, Darke County Coroner’s office, and members of the Darke County Drug Task Force. The purpose was to inform families about drugs and “how they are impacting adults and children in Darke County.” Called ‘DRUGS: Shatter the Myths, Save a Live,” the invitation was specifically directed to adults AND their children, third grade and above.

“I often hear parents don’t seem to be comfortable opening conversations with their kids; this gives them something specific to talk about,” Stump said. She had hoped for a better turnout than 30 parents and students, but added it made the atmosphere more intimate in the library. “There were items shown and passed around that would have been more difficult to do with a larger group.” Two of the items were a CD case, which when opened turned out to be a scale, and a can of what looked like WD-40, but the bottom unscrewed to hold drug paraphernalia.

Van Vickle talked about the death scene when someone O.D.’s (overdoses), noting others at the scene were probably doing drugs also so they change things around, making the investigation more difficult. He also talked about the drugs “eating the skin” where people shoot the stuff in… “They can lose an arm or a leg.” They showed a series of photos of a beautiful young woman, before and after getting hooked on drugs.

“It was really graphic,” Stump said. “It was shocking to the kids… some parents asked questions; the kids didn’t.”

Van Vickle and the officers said it takes a lot of work to make an arrest on someone… work and time. “If you see something, always report it,” they said, noting it adds to the evidence they will be able to use.

Stump said a lady she knew heard Van Vickle speak at her workplace and said he was “awesome.” Stump had also received information from the state about parents talking to their kids about drugs. She knew drugs were a problem – reinforced by Van Vickle and the drug task force members – and decided this was something needing to be addressed…

“Not just to the parents… or the children… they need to talk to BOTH of them.”

Published courtesy of The Early Bird