Letter: Parents Should Be Concerned About Violence, Drug Use

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To the Editor:

Parents. Guardians. Friends. Family. We all know that we have a problem in our schools.

Fights. Vape pens. Marijuana. And edibles (gummies) none of this is going to let up. It will only get worse.

Yes, we all know we lack resource officers. Even with the help of the officers and the school this is still going to happen. What I am worried about is the drugs that are surfacing and kids coming home telling you, if they do. That this is going on, this person has this, or that but no one does anything about it.

Why cause the school and police can't really do anything unless they know who has it, where it came from. Yes, they have videos they can look at but some kids know where cameras are. There are some kids there that don't really understand about drugs. Well it could be the wrong kid he or she hangs with and asks do you have any candy or I'm hungry, etc.

The person gives him or her candy or food which isn't candy or food. Something happens, feels funny, has no idea what's happening. This autistic kid only knows he or she ate candy or food, doesn't know who gave it to him or her just thought in his mind that someone was helping him by giving him something to eat. Classmate at that.

Ends up in the hospital or something worse. Or one of your kids end up eating a whole bag of gummies thinking it's regular gummies

You get that call somethings wrong with your child he's doesn't want to tell you what happened cause he's so high, slurring words. Seeing thing that aren't there and so on which is very frightening and upsetting. Then your blaming the school, which now your wondering how these kids are affording this stuff either by selling it or was given to sell for some one else this is why parents need to start being involved. Who wants to see there child in a hospital or worse from an overdose that could have been prevented?

So parents keep your eyes out for signs. Check bags, if possible. Call school or police anonymously and let them know.
This is the only way we can help keep our kids safe. Just because our kids are in school it's not just the schools' problem, it's ours too, we brought them into this world.

To learn from us the rights and wrongs. To get an education they are still our kids that we care and protect. Help fight violence and addiction in our schools.

Kathy Armstrong
Pittsfield, Mass. 

 

 

 

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Pittsfield Affordable Housing Initiatives Shine Light, Hope

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

Housing Secretary Edward Augustus cuts the ribbon at The First on Thursday with housing officials and Mayor Peter Marchetti, state Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The holidays are here and several community members are celebrating it with the opening of two affordable housing initiatives. 
 
"This is a day to celebrate," Hearthway CEO Eileen Peltier said during the ribbon-cutting on Thursday. 
 
The celebration was for nearly 40 supportive permanent housing units; nine at "The First" located within the Zion Lutheran Church, and 28 on West Housatonic Street. A ceremony was held in the new Housing Resource Center on First Street, which was funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. 
 
The apartments will be leased out by Hearthway, with ServiceNet as a partner. 
 
Prior to the ribbon-cutting, public officials and community resource personnel were able to tour the two new permanent supported housing projects — West Housatonic Apartments and The First Street Apartments and Housing Resource Center
 
The First Street location has nine studio apartments that are about 300 square feet and has a large community center. The West Housatonic Street location will have 28 studio units that range between 300 to 350 square feet. All units can be adapted to be ADA accessible. 
 
The West Housatonic location is still under construction with the hope to have it completed by the middle of January, said Chris Wilett, Hearthway development associate.
 
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