Rooney said in addition to teen drug and alcohol problems, Ludlow has the 4th-highest chlamydia rate in Massachusetts for teens ages 14 to 19.
LUDLOW — Selectman William Rooney said he will support putting funds in next year’s budget to restore having a police officer at the high school.
There currently is no police resource officer at the high school because the police did not have sufficient manpower, Rooney said. He said the town needs to take steps to bring down a problem with prescription drug abuse by teens as well as a problem with teen drinking.
Rooney said the town also has the fourth-highest chlamydia rate in the state for teens ages 14 to 19.
The School Department is planning a forum for parents and other community members for April 24 to begin to combat the problem of teen drinking and drug use. Rooney said he wants to make a community wide effort to get as many parents as possible to attend the meeting.
“We need to bring drug and alcohol use down,” he said.
The forum will discuss the effect of alcohol on the brains of teenagers who are still growing. Interim School Superintendent Donna Hogan is developing a format for the forum.
Police Officer Paul Dobek said that restoring a police officer at the high school would be part of the solution to solving the drug problem in town.
At a recent school forum held to update the community on anti-bullying efforts, some parents said some prescription drugs such as OxyContin are being sold out of houses in town. Parents need to be able to recognize the signs of drug use, parents said.
Rooney said, “There is a huge drug problem in town.”
He said he cares about Ludlow because “I don’t live anywhere else.”
In January, James Pendrick, 51, of 108 Holy Cross Circle, Ludlow, was found guilty in Hampden Superior Court of selling drugs from his house and going to the home of the lead investigator and trying to intimidate him. Pendrick was found guilty of trafficking in the class of drug that includes heroin, morphine and opium and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.
For the actions Pendrick took at the home of Ludlow Police Sgt. Thomas F. Foye, Pendrick was found guilty of trespass, intimidation of a witness and resisting arrest.