Students succeed in Shelton

Written by The Herald
Friday, 04 May 2012 00:00

At last week's public hearing a speaker discussed Shelton student achievement, saying too few students are succeeding and far too many are falling through the cracks.

Our experience as staff at Shelton's community newspaper has given us an opinion that is quite the opposite.

There are no doubt improvements to be made at our school district and students who have fallen off track and need more support.

Drug drop-off could save lives

Written by The Herald
Friday, 27 April 2012 00:00

Not everyone may realize the importance of keeping prescription drugs out of the hands of children and teenagers.

Research suggests than an alarming number of teenagers are experimenting with, or abusing prescription and over-the-counter medications to get high. For teens, prescription and over-the-counter medications may have appeal for a number of reasons, including that these drugs are often easily accessible, perceived as safer than street drugs and are legal.

The Greater Valley Substance Abuse Action Council is promoting the Milford Police Department's collection of unwanted prescription drugs this Saturday, April 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Milford Senior Center, and residents with unused prescriptions are encouraged to drop them off.

The Milford Police Department is holding the collection in conjunction with the Milford Prevention Council and the Drug Enforcement Administration as part of a nationwide initiative to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft by ridding homes of potentially dangerous and unwanted prescription drugs.

An area in the senior center parking lot will be set up as a "drive-through service" for convenience. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.

Commonly used medications that teens are using to get high include prescription painkillers like Oxycontin, Percocet, Vicodin, prescription stimulants like Ritalin, Adderall and cough and cold medications.

In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines — flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash — pose potential safety and health hazards.

If you can't make it to Milford, you can also use local drop-box sites: Ansonia Police Department, 2 Elm Street, Seymour Police Department, 11 Franklin Street and Shelton Police Department, 1 Wheeler Street.

Support Clean Sweep

Last Updated on Tuesday, 17 April 2012 21:03 Written by The Herald
Thursday, 19 April 2012 00:00

Streets littered with garbage doesn't exactly instill a sense of pride and love of community. Clean Sweep starts soon, and we need to all lend a helping hand.

Thanks to the Shelton Anti-Litter Committee and dozens of volunteers, Shelton streets, parks and more have been transformed into something to be proud of during the last few years.

This Saturday the Shelton Clean Sweep starts again, for the fifth year in a row, in conjunction with Earth Day, which falls on April 22. It will run until next Saturday, April 28 and there is still plenty of time to help out and join the effort.

The Shelton Anti-Litter Committee was formed as an ad-hoc committee in 2007 by the Board of Aldermen to address the growing litter problem in the city.

"We're trying to change a culture — it's not easy," Mayor Mark Lauretti said in the past of Shelton's litter problem.

A sobering subject

Last Updated on Tuesday, 17 April 2012 12:39 Written by The Herald
Monday, 16 April 2012 00:00

Amid the dress shopping, limo rentals and post-prom planning that has begun among Shelton High School students, parents should schedule some time to talk.

Teens may not always appear to be listening or they may roll their eyes when you bring up the topic of underage drinking and drug use but it's a conversation that needs to happen and it needs to happen honestly.

You know what the Valley Substance Abuse Council found to be the number 1 preventative tool against underage drinking? It wasn't peers or anti-drug and alcohol campaigns or even concern for personal health — it's parents.

As with every issue facing our children, parents are on the front lines and can do the most to prevent their child from dangerous behaviors that could have lasting effects.

Did you know that Connecticut is a member of the "Fatal 15" — the group of states with the nation's highest rates of alcohol-related deadly crashes? Since 2001 there have been 25 fatal crashes in Shelton.

A recent Prom Safety Awareness Night at Griffin Hospital included some haunting stories of people who made the decision to drink and drive or to get in the car with a drunk driver. It can be sad and difficult but teens need to hear those stories, as an important reminder that they aren't invincible.

But being on the road isn't the only concern. The idea that allowing teens to drink at your home is safer is a misguided one. Thousands of teen die every year from alcohol poisoning and the bad decisions made while intoxicated can have lasting life-changing impact.