Stress Rated As A ‘Serious Problem’—

More Than 1,000 Respond To Prevention Council Survey

By John Voket

A townwide survey issued by the Newtown Prevention Council last fall successfully captured opinions from more than 1,000 respondents who weighed in on subjects ranging from teen drug and alcohol abuse to the lack of public transportation and recreational activities. The findings were presented and discussed among volunteers of the Prevention Council at the group’s bimonthly meeting January 18.

Police Chief Michael Kehoe, who chairs the council, expressed his appreciation to all the residents who participated in the survey.

“It really helps us focus on the needs as expressed directly by members of the community,” Chief Kehoe said.

According to Judy Blanchard, the NPC vice chair, approximately 9,300 surveys were circulated to households with registered voters. The final count of 1,026, or 11 percent, were returned.

In all, 967 returned the paper survey and 59 answered via the Internet. Surveys that were returned were tracked, and represent a relatively even response pattern across the four elementary school districts. Among the respondents, 370 said they did not have children at home while the remaining respondents said they had a total of 1,231 children in their homes.

According to Ms Blanchard, 100 respondents had under $50,000 income, 359 had $50,000 to $100,000, and 492 had $100,000 or more. Newtown’s median income is $99,000.

Very few people, only 51, reported that they did not have health insurance while 962 reported some level of health insurance coverage.

Seventy people said they had family members with a substance abuse problem. But almost half of those reporting a substance abuse problem said that family member was in treatment.

Statistics reflect the issue of highest concern is the Quality of Education with 663 responding they were “very concerned,” 219 reporting they were “somewhat concerned,” and 112 saying they were “not at all concerned.”

Comments reflected a concern that the growing system is in need of support to maintain quality, and that the cost of the system is hard on tax payers. But NPC members at last week’s meeting presumed respondents may have expressed significant concern because they want the community to retain the current level of education.

School Superintendent Evan Pitkoff, who sits on the council, said given the way the survey item was listed makes it difficult to interpret the results. 

“Level of concern does not necessarily equate with ‘problem.’  I would hope that most people would be ‘very concerned’ about the quality of education in a community,” Dr Pitkoff said. “That would help to ensure a high quality and continuous improvement.”

Several NPC members concurred with Dr Pitkoff in observing the way it is set up in the survey, that question does not get to the core of whether or not people are satisfied with the quality of education.

Drug And Alcohol Abuse

The second big issue as reflected by the level of response was Drug and Alcohol Abuse. This is supported by two separate questions where the vast majority of respondents said that both youth and adult substance abuse were serious or slight problems.

Chief Kehoe said he was not shocked by any of the results.

“Taken at face value, this information provides validation that alcohol and tobacco use and abuse among Newtown’s young people is on the minds of many of our residents,” he said.

Drew Taylor, who was at the meeting representing Newtown High School’s chapter of SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), said he was concerned about the number of responses indicating community drug and alcohol abuse issues were proportionately related to high school and college-age residents.

“I feel it is my duty to provide the other side of spectrum,” he wrote in a response email following the meeting. “Adults were the only ones who filled out this survey, and at first glance it seems as if Newtown has no other problems except the kids.”

Drew said he can agree with the parents who said drug and alcohol abuse is a problem, but if it really is as big a problem as adults perceive, it to be would be difficult to say based on the survey.

“Many parents are quick to point fingers at teenagers, but the fact of the matter is that the majority of kids have nothing to do on weekends,” he continued. “So many students hang out at Dunkin’ Donuts or go to house parties because they have nothing else to do.”

He suggested parents take a cue from the report, volunteering to set up a place that would attract a diverse group of teenagers.

“This would give kids something to do on the weekend, keeping them active and out of trouble. If a place at Fairfield Hills could be made into a [facility] where teens could participate in different activities, then kids would be much less likely to drink,” Mr Taylor concluded. “The town should rally together to provide a place where teens can go and have fun without getting into trouble.”

Chief Kehoe pointed out that based on responses, underage drinking parties like those referred to by Drew Taylor would be subject to greater public scrutiny. He referenced the 601 respondents who said they would likely call the police if they detected young people hanging out and drinking in the woods.

On the other hand, Chief Kehoe said the response to a question about adults providing beer for a party was, “personally troubling.” Sixty-one respondents said they would be “very likely” to do so, and 235 others said they would be “likely” to buy beer for underage children.

“As a law enforcement official, it’s important to note that today agencies like the Newtown Police Department have a zero tolerance policy on these matters,” he said, noting recent laws passed respond to state residents’ wishes that give police greater power to both intervene and investigate allegations of underage drinking in private homes.

Among other responses were relative levels of concern expressed for affordable housing, availability of jobs, access to affordable medical care, access to affordable mental health services, services for the elderly, and out-of-school-time programs for students.

“Many people wrote in their concerns for missing services,” Ms Blanchard said. “By far the single most mentioned item was swimming facilities.”

In all, 874 responded that they were “likely” or “very likely” to support a recreation center; 761 said they would support a community center, and 820 would support an expanded teen center. A total of 527 believe the lack of activities for adolescents is a serious problem in Newtown.

High levels of stress were also cited as a serious problem with 536 respondents, and “inadequate acceptance of personal responsibility” was viewed as a serious problem by 520 who responded.

Chief Kehoe said NPC members will be taking an even closer look at the finer points of the survey results as the group gathers for its annual retreat March 15.