Selectman William Rooney said representatives from the Hampden County District Attorney’s office and the Ludlow Police Department will discuss the regional outlook for fighting illegal drug use.
LUDLOW - Selectman William Rooney urged residents to attend a community forum planned for Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Ludlow High School to get the community to begin to combat the problem of teen drinking and illegal drug use.
“This is for parents and students in grades 5 and up,” Rooney said. He added that there will be professional free child care on site for those who need it provided by the Ludlow Community Center.
Rooney said representatives from the Hampden County District Attorney’s office and the Ludlow Police Department will discuss the regional outlook for fighting illegal drug use.
Presentations will be made by some recovering drug addicts and by families of drug addicts.
Rooney says the community has a drug problem and it needs to start talking about it.
Parents at a school forum in February said there is a problem with abuse of the prescription drug Oxycontin in the community. There are homes in town where Oxycontin is being sold to teens.
Oxycontin can lead to addiction and increased house and car breaks, Rooney said.
Selectman Carmina Fernandes said it is important for students, parents and grandparents to attend the Tuesday forum.
“We need to nip this in the bud,” Fernandes said.
She said the issue cuts across the entire town.
Increased drug use can lead to increased crime.
Increased crime can result in the need for more police and higher property taxes, Fernandes said.
Increased crime also can result in a reduction in property values, Fernandes said.