By Ashley M. Casey

Staff Writer

Raising awareness about the opiate epidemic is no longer the goal for Central New York: Schools and communities alike are aware that heroin is here.

So what is being done to stem the tide of addiction and the social and mental issues that come with it?

Liverpool Central School District Superintendent Mark Potter said the district’s approach to battling substance abuse and mental health issues did not stop with the community forum LCSD hosted in June. Through the district’s health classes and students’ relationships with teachers, counselors and administrators, supports are in place for students who are struggling.

“What we do throughout the district and especially at the high school is [provide] an ongoing support system for all students,” Potter said.

Potter said the district decided after the June forum to emphasize mental health and substance abuse education in a half-day seminar at Liverpool High School in December.

“Coming out of that, it was loud and clear that there were more parents who had lost children than probably most of us ever realized,” Potter said. “As a result of that, we talked about bringing the next step of that into the school.”

During the Dec. 9 half-day at Liverpool High School, students will rotate through three one-hour presentations, panels and speakers “with a focus on making healthy, positive decisions,” said LHS Executive Principal Doug Lawrence. Students will be able to submit questions about mental health, substance abuse and other issues facing teens. More importantly, they’ll learn where they can go in the district if they need help.

“I want them to hear the stories, and then some of the solutions and the resources available,” said Jennifer Prusinowski, a social worker at LHS.

As for the new state law mandating the inclusion of mental health issues in health class curriculums by the 2018-19 school year, Potter said Liverpool is already doing a “pretty phenomenal job” when it comes to covering substance abuse and mental health.

“I think the lack of clarity with that bill is that it was an effort from one [legislator] that really wanted the law to catch up to the practice. I don’t know of any district that … wasn’t really teaching those things in class,” he said.

Also on Liverpool’s agenda is tweaking its policy on naloxone, the opiate antidote known by the brand name Narcan. Potter said the LCSD does not stock naloxone because of its proximity to emergency medical services, but the board of education will examine the issue at its policy meeting in November. Potter said Liverpool will consider training school nurses to administer naloxone on a voluntary basis.

The ripple effect of heroin

While he has not seen heroin in Liverpool schools directly, Potter said district security finds students in possession of marijuana and prescription pills “on an almost weekly basis.” He said the effects of drug abuse have rippled through families in Liverpool, leading kids to make unhealthy decisions.

“We see a fair number of children who share stories of parents being incarcerated, which tragically impacts the family dynamic and the ability to do what we need to do, which is educate children,” Potter said.

“I have a fair number of single dads this year on my caseload raising [kids] because Mom was drug-involved,” Prusinowski said. “If heroin has affected my students, it’s usually a distant family member, or they know somebody, or a friend, and that’s how it usually comes back to them.”

Prusinowski said that, while other drugs might be a problem in Liverpool, most kids stay away from heroin.

“The students whom I’ve spoken with who are already smoking pot or maybe there are other drugs involved, when I ask them specifically about heroin, that’s one thing they won’t touch,” she said. “It’s like, ‘Oh, I’m not that stupid — I won’t do that.’ So I think they are aware, and they’re frightened.”

Prusinowski said depression, anxiety and other mental health issues are on the rise at LHS.

“Every year it seems to be a little bit more,” she said. “That’s not necessarily because of substance abuse, but I think our mental health issues are increasing — every year I’ve been here.”

Seeking help

Fortunately, Liverpool students have an army of administrators willing to help: In the main building, LHS has two social workers and eight counselors, along with psychologists, nurses and security officers. The Annex has two counselors as well. Potter said that at budget time, he and the board work to balance academic spending with providing mental health and social resources for students.

“Everyone will see a student if they’re in crisis,” Prusinowski said.

“We’ve had all types of staff members come to us with concerns. Students really could feel comfortable going to any staff member in this building,” Lawrence said.

Potter said students build relationships not only with their teachers and counselors, but also with bus drivers, custodians and other non-instructional staff.

“When we take on initiatives, rarely do we make the assumption that it’s teachers only. Our bus drivers are the first group to pick up kids and the last to drop them off,” Potter said. “I think they build relationships … and we don’t even assume that occurs. I think they know often more things than we acknowledge.”

Prusinowski said teachers understand that kids can have difficult situations at home that affect their learning.

“One of the really positive things about this building is our teachers really understand that a student is a whole person,” she said. “They recognize if they’re having a rough day. They’ll give one of us a call: ‘Can you check in with [so-and-so]?’”

Prusinowski said once a student comes forward with a problem, she can help point them to doctors, counselors and agencies that specialize in substance abuse.

“A lot of kids just want someone to listen,” Prusinowski said. “I can’t solve every issue they have, but I can listen.”

Prusinowski said kids are also looking out for each other’s well-being.

“I have more students this year bringing their friends in because they’re worried about their friends,” Prusinowski said. “I think that’s a really mature thing to do. I’m proud of them when they do that.”

Lending an ear

While Liverpool’s social workers and counselors are always ready to listen to a student’s troubles, district officials said the conversation must start — and continue — at home.

Potter said parents should be aware of signs of drug abuse. The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence has an extensive list of signs and symptoms, which can be found at bit.ly/ncaddsigns.

“What’s different in your son or daughter’s life?” Potter asked.

Prusinowski said many parents are afraid of asking their teenagers about drug use.

“Everyone’s so afraid: ‘If I ask it, they’re going to want to do it,’ and I don’t agree with that. You have to have open dialogue so they’re not afraid to come in and talk,” she said.

Lawrence said parents should look for changes in their children’s behavior and keep an eye on kids’ cellphone communication.

“If there are things that don’t look right, it probably means that something’s not right,” he said.

Potter and Lawrence said parents tend to back off as their children reach the teenage years, but parent involvement and communication is essential.

“They feel the pressure from their son or daughter saying, ‘Mom, can you give me a little distance?’” Potter said. “When they get to high school, often parents see the child is physically as big as they are, and they … look like an adult. Unfortunately, they’re still that 15-, 16-, 17-year-old who’s struggling just like every other child is with life.”

While parents may be reluctant to offend or punish their children, “grounding is the least of your worries,” Lawrence said. A child’s safety should be the priority.

“Lots of times, parents are afraid their kid’s going to get mad at them or ‘they’re not going to tell me anything,’” Prusinowski said. “I’d rather have my kid be mad at me and be safe than the alternative.”

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Justice Center implements Vivitrol program

While schools like Liverpool are doing their part to prevent young people from abusing opiates in the first place, the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office is helping those who are addicted get back on track. Earlier this year, OCSO began a pre-release pilot program in the Onondaga County Justice Center for Vivitrol, an injectable medication for opioid dependence.

“It reverses your craving for [opiates],” explained Sgt. Jon Seeber, public information officer for OCSO.

The voluntary Vivitrol program provides counseling and transitional planning for addicted inmates, who are referred from Syracuse Drug Court or who express an interest in the program. Once an inmate in the program is released from jail, he or she continues treatment in a community-based clinic.

Seeber said drug overdoses have decreased somewhat in Onondaga County in 2016. Although he could not provide specific numbers, Seeber said the use of naloxone is down.

“Last year, we had a lot of overdoses and our deputies were administering a lot of Narcan,” he said. “This year, it’s trailed off considerably.”

Seeber said OCSO works with local school districts by having officers speak at panel discussions or in health classes. The North Syracuse Central School District contracts with OCSO to provide three school resource officers.

“The SROs interact with the students. They put on presentations not only about drug addiction, but ‘Alive at 25’ and drinking and driving,” Seeber said. “I think they’re a huge asset. They’re on a good level with these kids where they can actually talk to them, mentor them.”

Community-wide, OCSO’s “TIP411” program has been a success, according to Seeber. Anyone can send a text message, photo or video to the sheriff’s department by texting “TIPONON” to 847-411. Messages are encrypted so senders may remain anonymous, and people can submit tips online at sheriff.ongov.net/tip411. The program allows officers to communicate back and forth with tipsters.

“We’ve seen a huge increase in tips,” Seeber said. “Most of them are drug-related tips. … We think that’s because it allows the tipsters to be anonymous.”