It takes yearly drug resistance education in schools and at home to beat the drug problem, which would fight crime in general, Sheriff Pohlmann and Maj. Clark tell Chalmette Elementary D.A.R.E. grad.
 Sheriff James Pohlmann addresses D.A.R.E. |
 The other half of the students perform the |
 D.A.R.E. essay winners at Chalmette Elementary |
 The other half of the students perform the |
Sheriff James Pohlmann had just told D.A.R.E. graduates at Chalmette Elementary School that “you would solve the crime problem by solving the drug problem’’ because most property crimes are committed to gain money to buy drugs.
Then he asked the fifth-graders, their parents and teachers if they knew how solving the drug problem could be done.
One boy answered, “Tell people how bad drugs are.’’
Sheriff Pohlmann replied, “You don’t know how right you are.’’
Then the sheriff explained he believes the best chance to do that lies in yearly drug abuse education in schools as a student moves through each grade, with testing on the material like any other subject. Combine that with discussions at home by a child’s parents about drugs and the problem could be greatly reduced, Sheriff Pohlmann said.
“More money should be spent on the front end through education than on the back end with incarceration’’ after someone has gotten into the criminal justice system through an arrest.
And he said users deserve a chance at rehabilitation while all drug dealers should be sent to prison. “Drugs destroy your life, your family and your community,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said
About 100 students at Chalmette Elementary were recognized May 21 for graduating the 12-week Drug Abuse Resistance Education program, or D.A.R.E., taught by instructors from the Sheriff’s Office. It is a program aimed at trying to keep kids from using drugs including tobacco and alcohol or taking part in violence or bullying others.
The D.A.R.E. program is given by St. Bernard sheriff’s officers Lt. Lisa Jackson, its commander. and Sgt. Darrin Miller
Sheriff Pohlmann also praised parents for turning out for D.A.R.E. graduation ceremonies at schools and encouraged them to continue staying focused on their children, including talking often with them and looking for warning signs to help prevent drug use or be alerted to them actually using drugs.
If necessary, drug test kits are available at pharmacies to test young people, the sheriff told parents. If there is a problem it is important to rescue them before they become involved in the criminal justice system and end up in prison, the sheriff said.
Maj. Chad Clark, head of the Special Investigations Division including the Narcotics Unit, said it takes the kind of education effort given by Sheriff’s Office drug resistance instructors at parish schools to affect the drug problem in America as well as solid law enforcement to stop drug dealers.
Clark noted there are more than 100,000 deaths in America each year from drug-related causes, including some in St. Bernard Parish. Tobacco use claims an estimated 400,000 lives a year in this country, he said.
The resurgence of the drug heroin is concerning law enforcement and health care officials nationwide, he said. Clark added the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office has seized more heroin in the first three months of this year than the two previous years combined.
But Clark said overdose deaths have been going down in the parish because of a combination of factors including law enforcement diligence.
“Learn the warning signs of drug use,’’ in young people, Sheriff Pohlmann said to parents, including:
– Loss of interest in things they used to do such as sports, dance or reading.
– Hanging around with new groups of friends unknown to parents.
– Sudden attitude or mood swings.
– Sudden problems connected with school and academics.
Talk regularly with your children and be familiar with their friends, the sheriff said.
If parents see signs of possible problems, don’t be hesitant to ask what is happening. “It’s not something they will grow out of and it needs to be addressed,’’ the sheriff said.
Maj. Clark told children they have received the tools they need to begin making right choices. Clark also pledged to parents narcotics officers will continue to do their best to rid the parish of drug-dealers.
He also said parents can call the SID Division at 271-DOPE (3673) to make an appointment if they want to discuss any particular problem involving their children and drugs.
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