Parents Gather To Hear Advice About Protecting Children From Drug Addiction

Those searching for ways to protect their children from the scourge of drug addiction gathered at a Pickerington high school on Monday to hear advice and share their stories.

The parents came seeking answers to a problem that feels as though it has no solution.

“We have a 21-year-old son, and we don’t have any idea how to help him, because he’s a grown man,” said one parent attending the meeting Monday.

“She was a cheerleader, and after several injuries, she got hooked on Vicoden,” another said.

Drug addiction specialists offered support to the parents.

“We are dealing with a disease,” said expert Edward Hughes. “We wouldn’t try to figure out who’s at fault for cancer or diabetes. We’d just try to figure out what to do about it and how to help our loved ones.”

One of the areas that drug prevention advocates said needs more attention is the number of pain killers doctors prescribe that they say can easily get a young person hooked.

“We need to make sure that health care practitioners have a clear understanding of how dangerous and addictive these substances are,” said Orman Hall of the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services. “They need to be more judicious in the use of those medications in the treatment of chronic pain.”

Drug prevention advocates said that drug treatment needs to be available more quickly for young people struggling with drug addiction.

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