Drug task force established in Northville

By KAYLEIGH KARUTIS, The Leader-Herald
NORTHVILLE — People living in the close-knit community of Northville and Northampton are failing to acknowledge a growing drug and alcohol problem, say members of a task force addressing the problem.

The Community Drug Task Force, first organized through the Northville Central School District and now communitywide, is hoping to shed light on an issue many turn a blind eye to, said organizer Ruth Drake.

“Alcohol is definitely a problem, but we also need to start saying the words, ‘cocaine’ and ‘heroin,’” Drake said.

Drake, who formerly worked for the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention Partners’ Promise of Fulton County, and task force member Kirianne Weaver, minister of the Presbyterian Church in Northville, said the drug problem in the area stems partially from fear.

“What’s shocking is people allow things that should not be permissible,” Weaver said. “We tolerate the intolerable.”

Weaver said she knows members of her congregation who have seen drug exchanges in the house across the street, by people they know, but fear retribution should they report it. Parents who ask their children if they know where to get drugs are answered with a definitive, “yes, of course.”

According to a 2006 survey conducted by ASAPP’s Promise, the problem in Northville is distinct, but it also reflects a countywide problem.

Among eighth-graders in the Northville district, 25.9 percent reported using marijuana in their lifetime, compared to 11.5 percent countywide.

Heroin use is reported by 4.3 percent of eighth-graders, compared to 1.5 percent countywide, and 20.7 percent of 12th-graders reported using hallucinogens, compared to 13.6 countywide.

A lack of adult guidance contributes to the problem, Northampton Supervisor Linda Kemper said.

“With latch-key kids and both parents having to work, there is a lack of supervision,” Kemper said. “People wouldn’t think it would happen in a small town, our perfect little village.”

Rachel Truckenmiller, project coordinator for ASAPP’s Promise, said she works closely with Drake on the task force. While drug and alcohol use among students is a large problem, Truckenmiller said, there is also a problem within the entire community.

“If [children] all know the adults in their community are using, that’s what they see,” she said. “They think that’s the behavior adults do.”

Northville Central School District Superintendent Kathy Dougherty agreed. She said the school is working to address drug and alcohol issues, but points out it is not simply a problem with students, but adults as well.

“We’re supporting whatever [the task force] can do to help us to admit that we have some issues,” she said. “We need to get working together because its’ everyone’s problem.”

The task force, Drake said, is working to come up with creative solutions to the community’s drug problem. With a small police force and a somewhat isolated location, many drug-related reports go unchecked, which deters others from making reports, Drake said.

Kemper said police patrols are off the streets by 11 p.m., which does little to deter crime. Drake and Weaver agreed.

“There’s a lack of manpower [in the police force here],” she said. “One of the problems is the enforcement. If you have laws, you need to have someone to enforce them.”

Lack of manpower, Kemper said, often leaves authorities powerless.

“Police know some of the players involved,” she said. “I know for a fact people have reported specific places of drug activity, and no one does anything. They have asked me, ‘what good does it do? Nothing happens.’”

Northville Mayor James Groff, who is also a member of the Northville police force, acknowledged the police force’s limitations.

“Police are strapped with budget constraints and lack of manpower,” he said. “[Northville has] a part-time police force [that] works 20 to 30 hours a week … There’s not enough people to do the job, and there is a problem with drugs in this county.”

Groff said time constraints prevent him from dedicating much time to the task force, but said he’s encouraged by its development.

“At least this is bringing some awareness to the public,” he said. “The powers that be need to recognize there’s a need for more manpower.”

The task force is circulating a petition asking residents to acknowledge problems there and call on local authorities to make a change. The petition, which Drake said has more than 400 signatures so far, will be presented to local law enforcement officials and authorities Thursday.

Fulton County District Attorney Louise Sira said she is involved in the task force and will make every effort to attend the petition presentation.

“I think [drug and alcohol use] is a prevalent problem throughout our entire county,” she said. “It’s good to see a group organizing to address it in such a proactive way.”

The school district and task force have instituted an anonymous hotline. Anyone can call (800) 418-6423, Ext. 359, and leave information about illegal activity without having to leave a name or contact information.

Drake and Weaver said they hope the petition will be the catalyst for real change in the community.

“There is a frustration among Northville [and Northampton] residents,” Weaver said. “Hopefully, this petition will be our mandate for change.”