Speakers Provide Personal, Powerful Stories of Drug Addiction

Wednesday night's Substance Abuse Awareness Night had a personal message from speakers who have seen the dangers of drug addiction first hand.

Katie Shea stood inside Wilmington Middle School under much different circumstances than when she was there previously. And as she spoke in front of a silent auditorium full of parents and children alike, it was evident just how far she’d come. “I did a lot of drugs in these bathrooms as a seventh grader and eighth grader,” said Shea during Wednesday’s Substance Abuse Awareness Night. “If only I had listened, I wouldn’t be where I was today.” Shea’s powerful and personal tale was one of warning as she and other speakers told audience members just how important it is to frequently speak to children about drugs at a young age in order to prevent the dire consequences of addiction. The Shawsheen Technical High School graduate spoke about her …

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Drug Abuse an Ongoing Issue in Wilmington

In advance of Wednesday's Substance Abuse Awareness Night, look back at Patch's September series on drug addiction in Wilmington.

Coalition Working Hard to Curtail Substance Abuse

The Wilmington Substance Abuse Coalition is holding an event on November 28.

The Wilmington Substance Abuse Coalition began coming together earlier this fall. And later this month, the group will hold its largest event to date. Hoping to curtail drug abuse in town, the coalition is planning its initial steps, including Awareness Night 2012 on November 28 at Wilmington Middle School from 7-9 p.m. The evening will include a variety of speakers and resources for residents of all ages. In particular, youths 12 years old and above are encouraged to attend with their parents. “I hope that I can get as many people in the community to come to this as possible,” said Health Director Shelly Newhouse. “I hope we can build upon what we see that night and maybe hold more of these depending on what topics the community sees fit…

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Town Stresses Communication to Combat Young Drug Abuse

Wilmington police, school and town officials said open lines of communications with young residents is critical to combating drug addiction.

Editor’s Note: The following is Part Four of Patch’s five part series on drug use in Wilmington. You can find the previous three stories on our topic page. Part One included local reaction to the problem, Part Two featured a look at a possible drug coalition forming in town and Part Three gave personal stories of what addiction can do to families. Education and communication. They are the two words that town officials and police stress in combating drug addiction in young residents. “People with the real influence on young people are their peers. So as a parent, how can you compete with that if you have only talked to your children about drugs once or twice?” said Wilmington Police Chief Michael Begonis. “You really have to have that line …

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Families Deal With Consequences of Drug Addiction

Wilmington residents share their stories of how drug abuse by relatives impacted their family.

Editor’s Note: The following is Part Three is Patch’s five-part series on drug use in Wilmington. Part One featured input on the topic from town officials and police and Part Two included a look at a potential drug coalition forming in town. To find all of the week’s stories in one location, visit the topic page for the series. Jen Mason has seen the damaging impact of drug addiction first hand, and she isn't the only one with a similar story. Mason’s sister began using Oxycodone about 12 years ago following a car accident and has struggled with substance abuse ever since, now turning to heroin on a regular basis. “It can happen to anybody,” said Mason, a Wilmington resident. “We come from a middle class family where my father told us …

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What Can Be Learned About Drug Use in Wilmington?

Wilmington Patch is working on a multiple-part series on drugs in town, and we want to know what you hope to learn from the series.

Drug addiction is an issue that many in Wilmington and beyond wrestle with, and it’s a topic that has come to the forefront locally after police dealt with multiple overdoses in recent months. “It is disconcerting to see how prevalent drugs, particularly prescription drugs, have become,” said Town Manager Michael Caira. In the near future, Wilmington Patch will be running a multiple-part series featuring a variety of stories looking at drug use in Wilmington, how it can be stopped, and more. So far, Caira, Police Chief Michael Begonis, Board of Selectmen chairman Mike Newhouse and Wilmington High School principal Eric Tracy have all given their insight on the topic for the articles. “It’s certainly nothing new,” said Begonis. “We’re seeing…

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Kathleen B. Reynolds

2:22 pm on Friday, September 7, 2012

Drug testing is a great idea - and it could be implemented in homes when parents start talking to their kids about any and all values and house rules. Any program should definitely be implemented in the middle school and even fifth grade. Drug users need to be invited to any public/community forum - without fear of retribution or judgment. Otherwise, it's just more preaching to the choir. …   more ›