Robbie Harrison, Richmond County Drug Investigators, and his partner, Sellie, are shown during a program presented at a Drug Free Coalition meeting. (Photo contributed) Forty-six juveniles from Jenkins and Screven counties were taken into custody by law enforcement last year in connection with drug-related violations. The startling statistic was only one of many revealed during a Drug Free Coalition meeting hosted by the Jenkins County Family Enrichment Center (JCFEC) March 9.

Lt. Tony Taylor of the Sylvania Police Department presented an informative program that called attention to the problem of illegal drug use by teens and outlined warning signs of drug abuse.

Lt. Taylor noted that approximately 300,000 visits to emergency rooms nationwide annually were related to illegal drug use by teenagers. He indicated that marijuana was the illegal drug most often used by teens and that 11.6 percent of teens, ages 12-17, admitted to being current users of illegal drugs during a recent survey.

Lt. Tony Taylor, standing, presented a program on illegal drug use by teenagers at a Drug Free Coalition meeting hosted by the Jenkins County Family Enrichment Center last week. (Staff photo by Deborah Bennett) “Twenty-five percent of high school seniors admitted using some type of drug last year,” Lt. Taylor said.

However, drug abuse was not limited to illegal drugs, according to the survey.

“More teens abuse prescription drugs than illicit drugs with the exception of marijuana,” he said.

Warning signs of drug abuse may include: sudden and extreme changes in personality, appearance and hygiene; low self-esteem; depression; secretive or telling lies; stealing or losing possessions that used to be valued by the teen; skipping school; and defiance of authority.

Lt. Taylor encouraged parents to become involved in their children’s lives and to openly confront the problem if they suspect their teen is using illegal drugs.

“Don’t deny there is a problem; don’t blame yourself; and don’t condone drug use,” he said.

He also encouraged parents to listen to their teens, show compassion and check up on them.

“Teenagers can recover from drug abuse,” he said.

During the meeting, JCFEC Director Mandy Underwood reported that the organization had recently applied for a $125,000 drug free annual grant for a 5-year period. If efforts to secure the grant are successful, the funds could be used to pursue employing a school resource officer, among other things. Approximately 150 grants are to be awarded by June 30.