Deadly grip: Bath salts conquer Emporium - The Bradford Era: News - Deadly grip: Bath salts conquer Emporium: News

Deadly grip: Bath salts conquer Emporium - The Bradford Era: News - Deadly grip: Bath salts conquer Emporium: News: EMPORIUM — Bath salts have conquered Emporium.

EMPORIUM — Bath salts have conquered Emporium.

That was the word from law enforcement officials during an educational program on bath salts and other designer drugs, which have created an epidemic of drug abuse within Cameron County. A town hall-style meeting was held at the Emporium Volunteer Firehall on Wednesday evening to discuss the issue.
                      More than 100 people packed the firehall’s dining area to hear a presentation on this dangerous class of drugs by newly-hired Emporium police chief Matt Siple, and information presented by a number of community members and former drug addicts.
“We’re here to talk about bath salts, which have conquered this town,” Siple said. “But we’ve all come here to get Emporium back to normal.”

Siple said law enforcement in Cameron County is now working with the North West Drug Task Force out of Erie and postal inspectors are checking packages at multiple locations to put a stop to the mail-order trafficking of the substances.
Due to use of the drugs, burglaries and thefts have increased, as have the discovery of needles along public streets, with Emporium Borough maintenance crews at one time picking up an average of 18 needles per day. Many communities have seen an increase in homicides, suicides and deaths from the substance itself, but that has not occurred in Emporium —  yet — according to Siple.

“We haven’t had any deaths or serious bodily harm … but today, we almost did,” Siple said, speaking of an incident in northern Cameron County on Wednesday where police were called to pick up a young woman suffering from exposure, presumably high on bath salts or a similar substance.

Symptoms that can be recognized by individuals who come into contact with users include severe paranoia and anxiety, hallucinations, insomnia, dilated pupils, nose bleeds, track marks from needles, pock marks from digging the skin, withdrawal from friends, family and familiar activities and severe behavioral changes.

District attorney Paul Malizia spoke to the difficulties in prosecuting these individuals, including the restrictions imposed by sentencing guidelines and prior records scores. Malizia also spoke on the things that community members can do to try and combat the problem.

The biggest of those, according to Malizia: If you see something, say something. Police are not allowed to search an individual without probable cause, so community members were urged to notify police or emergency services.
Parents need to take responsibility, according to former Magisterial District Judge Al Brown, who has become involved in the community outreach led by another speaker at the event, Dan Blust, an outspoken former drug addict who has dedicated his life to helping others in similar situations.

“Tough love, people. That’s what we need,” Brown said. “Stand up and make our kids do what is right. It’s your responsibility. You’re the parent. Be tough on them.”

A number of former addicts attended the event. Though most did not choose to share their stories, a couple did speak on how frightening the experiences were, and the depths they had to go to before they would seek help. Most came in support of Blust’s Life Support Outreach program and to show that a caring, positive environment can change an addict’s life.
“Most of these people who are on alcohol or drugs are lacking something in their lives,” Blust said.

A tragic upbringing, traumatic experiences, the loss of a loved one at a crucial life point, all of these circumstances, and many more, can send a person into the downward spiral that leads to drugs and all sorts of societal problems, Blust said.
“If we care about this town, start smiling, start waving at people again. If you see someone stumbling around, ask them what they need,” Blust said. “This is the most beautiful place I’ve ever been in my life, but we have a problem. We have to do something about it.”

Most community members echoed Blust’s statement, and showed their support for a more proactive approach. Siple said that more arrests are coming, and the borough and state police are working to do what they can to curb the problems plaguing the fair streets of Emporium.

Individuals and family members affected by drug, alcohol and addiction problems are urged to attend the Life Support Outreach Addiction Group meetings held at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at the outreach center on South Chestnut Street, across from Memorial Hall.

Malizia provided his email address for law enforcement referrals. He can be contacted at malizialaw@windstream.net.