PCHS and DHS Administrators Warning Parents About Student Prescription Abuse
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ The Du Quoin Police Department, and the Perry County Sheriff's Department in concert with the Perry County Drug Task Force have made three arrests related to the sale of prescription drugs like vicodin, ativan, colanzepam and others.
The most recent arrests have caught the attention of school administrators in Du Quoin and Pinckneyville who are asking parents to counsel their children about substance abuse and prescription drug trafficking.
Authorities also renew their warnings to parents and grandparents about keeping these prescriptions out of sight of young people and destroying the medications when they are no longer used or become expired.
Du Quoin Chief of Police Michael Ward and Assistant Chief Jamie Ellermeyer said they have arrested Doris Wooley Thomas, 53; Vickie McKee,62; and James F. McKee, 27, all of Du Quoin.
On Tuesday, the Du Quoin Police Department arrested Doris Wooley-Thomas of Du Quoin on a Perry County warrant for delivery of a controlled prescription medication (vicodin). Police allege Thomas delivered prescription medication to an agent of the Perry County Drug Task Force. The charge is a Class III felony and could carry a sentence of two to five years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Thomas remains in the Perry County Jail with a bond set at $3,000 cash.
On Monday, Vickie L. McKee and James F. McKee of Du Quoin were arrested by the Perry County Sheriff's Department on warrants for two counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance prescription medication (activan, colanzepam and vicodin). Ativan is prescribed to treat anxiety disorders or anxiety associated with depression. Colanzepam is also prescribed for short term relief of anxiety. Vicodin is prescribed to relieve moderate to severe pain. The McKees remain in custody at the Perry County Jail with a bond set at $3,000 cash. The charges are Class III felonies and could carry a sentence of two to five years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Ellermeyer: Problem Increasing
Ellermeyer related that criminal cases involving the sale of prescription medication is at an all time high in our area.
Police recommend people who have prescription medications at home keep a close eye on those medications. Police are noticing an increase especially in teen use where in most cases the medications are being obtained in their own homes without parental knowledge. People need to realize distributing prescription medication carries sever penalties just as cocaine, methamphetamine or any other illegal drug.
Gossett: Drugs Easy to Mask
Assistant Du Quoin High School principal Jeff Gossett echoed those concerns. Gossett said this morning, "We have all heard about prescription drugs and the issues they bring. Unlike alcohol and marijuana, they are easy to mask. Family members should lock down prescriptions and make sure you count how many pills you have. Check on your child's behavior. One thing that is worrisome from our point of view is that you have obvious smells with alcohol or marijuana. During K-9 unit drugs sweeps, pills are hard to recognize. It is difficult to trace those with them and to help those students. We know this is a problem that is coming."
Green: Students Know Whose Been Sick & Prey Upon Them
Pinckneyville High School principal John Green added, "It's something we're seeing in today's society. Students figure out who has been sick or in the hospital or has had a major accident so they prey on those people. Many times it is not those in the household involved, but someone gets an individual to get those drugs from a person's house. About five years ago we were having issues. Half the time you don't know students are on something. They could have taken something the night before or in the morning. What you will see is a big change in behavior in their sleeping habits. They don't sleep at all or they quit eating. Parents are working and are so busy this falls on the administrators," he said.
Gossett said Du Quoin's schools have strict policies on medications. All but inhalers for respiratory problems are banned from school premises. "We don't allow students to carry any medications."
Chief Ward requests anyone with information concerning any type of illegal drug activity call the Du Quoin Police Department at 542-2131 and ask to speak with Assistant Chief Jamie Ellermeyer.