By Michael Benavides
Staff Writer
JACKSON – A Jackson resident whose 22-year-old son is continuing to fight a battle against drug abuse shared that challenge with fellow residents during a special event presented by the Jackson Police Department.
Lynda McDonald described the difficult circumstances her family has faced as her son has battled drug abuse for nine years. She spoke during a Drug Education Awareness for Parents program at Jackson Liberty High School on Oct. 18.
“At the age of 12 he initially got involved with pain pills and then he moved on to heroin,” McDonald said, adding that she and her husband at the time sent their son to rehabilitation facilities in New Jersey and Florida.
“When he was under 18, I had him in three different facilities,” McDonald said in a subsequent interview. “After he turned 18 he would either put himself into rehab … or (end up) in drug court … (Following) drug court and jail, he has done well off and on.
“Most recently he did great at one rehab and then went to a halfway house in New Jersey. He was clean for 16 months, he got a job … He relapsed for a few days, but the drug court and his lawyer kept him in the program and he will go back there.”
Asked if she has a message for parents who have children battling drug abuse, McDonald said those parents should seek help.
“They should not feel like they are alone and they do not need to feel judged,” McDonald said. “Parents need to get into a support group.”
She said she runs two support groups, Living with Addiction and Recovery With God, both of which meet at the Jackson United Methodist Church, 68 Bennetts Mills Road.
Jackson Police Lt. John Convery said the purpose of the Oct. 18 presentation was to make residents aware of growing drug abuse problem in Ocean County.
“The more information we get out to the public, the better,” Convery said. “We are trying to inform parents about the behaviors associated with drug abuse so they can get their kids into a early intervention program.”
Jackson Detective Sgt. Frank Mendez, Sgt. Mary Nelson, Officer John Pejoski, Officer Colin Menafra, Officer Mark Rodina and Convery participated in the community awareness event.
The presentation offered audience members information about how to recognize the signs and symptoms associated with substance abuse. Speakers provided information about treatment options for individuals who are battling substance abuse.
According to Jackson police, there have been more than 120 drug overdoses in Ocean County since Jan. 1.
Convery said there has been an increase in heroin use in the last few years and he said that is because the drug has become increasingly cheaper to obtain.
Luke Stango, who is the parent of three adult children and the grandparent of five, said he has had friends who battled addiction and said he lost a friend to addiction.
“It is shocking to know your own hometown is dealing with such a tragic issue,” Stango said.
Ken Thompson, a retired educator who has two adult daughters and three grandsons, said he was aware of the drug issue plaguing Ocean County.
Asked why he believes there may be a lack of awareness about the issue, Thompson said it can be difficult to get members of the public to attend an event such as the one the police department provided.
“The challenge is just getting people to attend such presentations,” he said. “Too many people think the drug situation does not affect them, but as a educator, I disagree with them.”
Curt Schnieder, the father of two adult sons, praised the police department for presenting the topic to the community.
“I salute the Jackson police for bringing up such a personal subject,” Schnieder said. “Something like (drug abuse) has to be faced, you cannot turn your back on it.”
Jackson Police Benevolent Association Local 168, the Kiwanis Club and the Rotary Club of Jackson also sponsored the event.