Newtown’s Longstanding

Drug Problem

To the Editor:

Hello. I’ve just read the article about Newtown’s growing drug problem. Well, like it or not when I was in NHS there were drugs available for the taking back in 1972–1976. There were a lot of kids drinking right on school property too! THC and pot was always available.

Some of the kids used to smoke pot on the path at the far end of the parking lot behind the cafeteria. They used to have to be real careful not to be there when Mrs Stevens walked home for lunch. They also used to take it in the lav near the cafeteria. This was only during the cold months when they didn’t want to go to The Path.

Some kids used to drink and have drugs in the locker rooms. They also used to drink in the auditorium, behind the stage. I imagine that all the drugs that found their way to our small town came by way of New York. Which I’m sure is the same now 30 some years later. I mean everybody used to go to New York State after the bars closed at 1 am and party there till 3 am.

Some things just don’t change while they stay the same. The only thing that has changed since my years at NHS is the type of drugs. They are more dangerous and more addictive. Heroin is cheaper and more available than most drugs. It is easier to get than alcohol! (From what I can see there are more and more accidents in the US that are caused by drunk drivers than there are by people smoking pot.) So you see Newtown has always had a drug problem; you are just paying attention to it now. Better late than never.

Michelle A. Foley

Harwich, Mass.                                                            August 25, 2003