A Look at Drug Use in Tolland and Beyond

Tolland residents learned about the newest developments in drug use Monday night, a topic that is a lot closer to Tolland than some may like to believe.

"It's not a quiet, little town like everybody thinks," said Tolland resident trooper Sgt. Scott Smith. He said that troopers respond to drug use incidents at Tolland High School on a fairly regular basis. In fact, he said that two students were charged last week, one for drug possession and the other for selling.

"We try to make a presence up here often," he said. "Hopefully, parents will open their eyes."

The attendees at Monday night's lecture, presented by the Public Safety Department, learned about new drug trends from Statewide Narcotics Task Force member Wayne Kowal. 

Kowal presented summaries of different drug effects and abuse symptoms at the lecture, which included information on two of the .

However, Kowal added that only certain drugs are more commonly used amongst school-aged children, according to self-reporting from students.

At the middle school level the list includes:

• Tobacco/cigarettes
• Inhalants
• Alcohol
• Marijuana
• Diverted pharmaceuticals

The self-reported list is similar for high schools:

• Tobacco/cigarettes
• Alcohol
• Marijuana
• Diverted pharmaceuticals
• Mushrooms
• LSD

While Kowal detailed specific warning signs for many different types of drugs, he said that some red flags should be universal for parents:

• An increase in hostility or irritability
• Seclusion from others
• Possessing large amounts of cash
• Poor academic performance
• Slurred speech
• Extreme or fast weight loss
• Bloodshot eyes
• Dilated or shrunken pupils

Kowal added that the Internet has become both a danger and help for families. It can enable kids to buy drugs more easily, but parents can also use it to stay informed and keep their children safe, he said.

Kowal also said parents should take precautions with any old prescription drugs by locking them up, keeping an inventory and talking to kids about the dangers of prescription drugs. Kowal explained that some kids use the prescriptions, because they believe they are safer than the illegal drugs.

Tolland parent Susan Lotreck said that Kowal's detailed presentation was very informative.

"I had no concept of what was out there," she said. "It was a huge eye opener."

Kowal said that parents can find lots of useful information online and can also email him with questions at wayne.kowal@ct.gov.