Pennsbury Steps Efforts To Fight Drug Abuse, Mental Health Issues Into High Gear

There is an epidemic and it’s killing young people in our community.

Last week, Pennsbury School Board President Jacqui Redner’s son, Josh, 28, passed away from an overdose and board member Christian Schwartz lost his nephew. Pennsbury graduates have passed away over the past year due to drug overdoses and the board voted to move forward with efforts to fight the drug epidemic Tuesday evening. For alcohol addicts, it is important for them to undergo an alcohol treatment fort lauderdale to get expert advice. 

The board voted unanimously to approve a one-year $149,000 contract with the Richard J. Caron Foundation to provide drug programs and related services in the district this school year. They also voted in favor of an $11,000 agreement with Second Steps for a program that offers information to cut down on bullying, substance abuse and how to be a student of character.

Pennsbury Special Education Director Dr. Sherri Morett said the Richard J. Caron Foundation will have representatives in the district five days a week and working with students. In addition, training for middle school students will be provided and staff will be trained at the elementary school level.

“Thank you, all of you, for doing this,” Redner said when the board voted. “Now, more than ever, it means the world to me … and it will mean the world to any other child we can possibly save with these programs.”

Redner, who also lost a son to suicide in 2015, has fought for mental health and drug treatment for years and has stepped up her fight since her life has been so closely touched by the problems.

The district’s eyes were really opened to the problem in June when the parents of 2013 Pennsbury High School graduate Luke Johnson made an emotional plea asking for the district to do something after his death, which was caused by a heroin overdose. The school board and administration got to work to create the task force and revamp their efforts.

Johnson’s father thanked the board for their efforts Tuesday evening.

“Seeing that my school district is fighting to save the lives of students who are affected by the epidemic …. it makes me so proud to say I’m part of this school district,” a Pennsbury High School student told the board Tuesday.

The votes followed the school district announcing a task force to tackle mental health and opioid abuse in the school community that includes more than 10,000 students.

As of early September, the Levittown-Fairless Hills Rescue Squad, which covers a portion of the Pennsbury School District and also Bristol Township, has responded to 241 drug overdoses and had 18 of those patients died.

The district’s mental health and opioid task force that was put into place last month has seven goals: deliver evidence-based mental health and drugs and alcohol curriculum, identify resources that exist, develop appropriate programs and resources, host community forums, add staff training on recognizing the signs and symptoms of mental health issues, review and enhance our state-mandated student assistance programs and enhance student support groups, Pennsbury Superintendent Dr. William Gretzula said.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Board Vice President Debra Wachspress said the community needs to get a grip and “slow that wheel down” and reduce stress and pressure on high school students, especially seniors who are applying for college.

Redner said not addressing stress on students can lead to drug problems and self-harm down the road.

District officials said they are considering a listening tour and community sessions to address drug and mental health issues in the school community.