Nicer On Narcotics?

To the Editor:

In the past ten years, it does seem fitting (and scary) to see less and less of the familiar “Nicer in Newtown” bumper stickers. The town with rural countryside, a postcard flagpole, and Bruce Jenner Stadium now has sprawling development, a Fairfield Hills puzzle, and heroin addicts. Yes, heroin addicts. Sprawling development and the Fairfield Hills puzzle are good problems to have; but heroin is not.

The sad truth of our town having a growing teen substance abuse problem is countered by our town having two women who are prepared to do something about it. Dorrie Carolan (I look forward to meeting her) and Donna DeLuca (I am blessed to know her and her family) have taken on a ministry that is not only personal and painful but also unforgiving and deadly at its core. In my short conversations with Donna about their upcoming introduction of The Parent Connection open forums in September dedicated to airing all about teen substance abuse, she shared with me alarming facts about alcoholism and addictions. As parents of a 9, 7 and a 2-year-old, my wife Kathy and I will not take chances here. We are watching our children blossom before our eyes and yes, this problem is now ours to address.

All of us would agree that this dilemma is in every growing town and for this reason we all need to educate ourselves. Whether we live in Newtown or Southbury, Boston or New York, parents of young or old can prepare themselves to be better suited to handle this crisis when it happens.

Alcoholism and addictions are big picture problems that measure far beyond the scope of the Fairfield Hills puzzle. Thank you Dorrie and Donna for sharing your invaluable knowledge and support with us. I hope that all parents will protect their children the way they deserve to be protected. My wife and I look forward to attending The Parent Connection in September and growing from Dorrie and Donna’s knowledge.

Ray Gallagher

5 Maltbie Road, Newtown                               August 19, 2003