Watertown’s Epidemic of Addiction:December 10, 2010

An honest look at addiction and recovery in Watertown N.Y.

Although Watertown is a small community by city standards, we have many of the same
problems of major metropolitan areas when it comes to drugs in our community. Crack
cocaine, Heroin, Ecstasy, Methamphetamines and black market pharmaceuticals are readily
available for those who seek them. According a National Institutes of Drug Addiction report on
American cities and the estimated addicts in a population, Watertown has one the highest
concentration of addicts, with 13% of the population being addicted to some form of illicit drug.
(It is important to note that that this number is only representative of those addicts that seek
some form of treatment and therefor the total number is likely to be higher.)

The drug issue in Watertown may be widely known, however, there seems to be a nonchalant
attitude toward the treatment of addicts in our community. Yes, we are fortunate to have two
outpatient clinics in Samaritan Behavioral Health and Credo. However, they are wholly
understaffed and not all staff that is in these clinics demonstrates the ability to individually treat
addicts with the time and dignity that is proven to foster strong recovery programs.

Drugs in Watertown are relatively easy to get. We don’t have dealers on corners like in some
major cities but we don’t have to in order to have a pervasive problem. Many times because of
our relatively small population a dealer has nothing more to do than sit in a house and wait for
the customers to come to him/her. As long as the dealer knows one person that knows a lot of
other people then his work is quite easy. Simply stay inside so as not to be noticed and let
addicts/users make the phone calls and transport the drugs to customers.

The fact is that as long as there is a demand for illegal drugs, there will always be someone
willing to take the risk of supplying them. The real battle is with the users and addicts. If we can
teach people how to live and deal with life on life’s terms and support those that have the
hardest time, we will have made great strides to stem the availability of drugs and thusly the
chance for our children to become involved with them. It begins with the parents of course. The
“Not my kid” attitude that your child would never get involved with drugs is precisely the
perspective that opens the door for children to do just that.

Drug abuse is not just the problem of a few select people of weak will. When one member of our
community is stricken by the problem we are all affected in some way. From the financial cost
of supporting a police department that must devote countless man hours to investigation and
the overwhelming court costs of thousands of cases per year to the social cost of losing some of
most talented and intelligent people to the throes of addiction.

Over the years we have tried many remedies in which to limit the consumption of drugs by our
community members. Stiffer sentencing by our court system and a greater number of laws and
a broader scope by which to enforce them have done nothing. In fact it has only clogged the jail
and court system even more. This not to say that we should just give up. Quite the contrary.
There are many new and innovative ideas throughout the country that are proving have greater
impact on communities and drug addicts alike. One such Idea is the Recovery high school.
Watertown’s Epidemic of Addiction:December 10, 2010

An honest look at addiction and recovery in Watertown N.Y.

Young people with drug issues are not only taught the basic education of a normal high school
but they are also taught important skills to deal individual issues that have lead them to seek
self-medication. This is but one idea that is showing merit. There are countless others that
socially conscience communities are putting into effect.

Watertown will not solve its drug issues by adhering to the old way of doing things. That is
quite evident by the population problems of our county jail and the instances of recidivism.
Unless we take a proactive stand toward education and treatment we will be mired in this
expansive social issue for years to come. Do we really want to stand idle while those with drug
issues perish every day to the prison system or the graveyard? Chances are you have a family
member or friend that is currently in a fight with drug abuse issues right now. Is it not our
obligation as good people, and civic leaders to all we can?