Board of Selectmen Meeting September 24, 2018

Board of Selectmen Meeting September 24, 2018

The Town just received a Local Prevention Council Grant. The Summary of Submission: “Each year the Community and Social Services Department applies for a local prevention council grant to provide funds for substance abuse prevention. Funds are used to purchase Naloxone (Narcan) for our police officers to carry and to engage in distracted driving education and enforcement activities. If the grant is awarded in full, the amount would be $5,817.50.

According to Police Department records Narcan was used 8 times in 2017 and 4 times in 2018 to the present.

According to the World Health Organization alcohol consumption killed more than 3 million people in 2016. About 1/3 of alcohol-related deaths were a result of injuries: including car crashes, while about 1 in 5 were due to either health issues, cancer, or mental health disorders.

Alcohol has become an entry drug into drug addiction with many children having access to alcohol when very young. Many families have members with accepted alcohol addiction. Alcohol addiction has devastated many families causing divorce and family violence. Alcohol addiction has affected all age groups. Alcohol is the entry level mind-altering drug that leads to marijuana addition and opiod addiction. It appears that an addict will escalate their drug use as the “high” diminishes over time.

Recently the Simsbury Police Department was called to an overdose where the person was too far gone to resuscitate with Narcan. This person was a Simsbury resident. It is alleged that this person had a history of drug addiction that escalated out of control.

It is alleged that this person had a journal with many entries and a cell phone that could be used in a thorough investigation into finding the person who supplied the drugs.

Surrounding Police Departments have investigated and arrested drug dealers.

Several years ago the Simsbury Police Department supplied an officer to the Regional Narcotics Task Force. With drug addiction on the rise it would be prudent to allocate an officer to investigate the suppliers and users of addictive drugs in Simsbury.

It appears that alcohol consumption plays an integral part of recreational activity in Simsbury by allowing alcohol consumption on Town property.

The e Simsbury Performing Arts promotes alcohol consumption with the sale of alcohol at most of their events.

The Simsbury Golf Course has an alcohol road from the golf area into the recreation complex to bypass people using the recreation complex.

Most fund-raising events in Simsbury have either the sale or distribution of alcohol.

The introduction of marijuana for medical use has increased the use in families and is easily obtainable for family members. Many people are daily users of marijuana, a gateway drug to more addictive substances.

The Simsbury Performing Arts Center allows marijuana use at their concerts without any police interference.

Vaping devices are not just being used for nicotine – they are also being used to vaporize THC, the chemical responsible for most of marijuana's mind-altering effects.

Each Juul-----which lasts about 200 puffs----has as much nicotine as an entire pack of cigarettes.

Vaping and Juuling has become an addictive substance of choice for underage children and have created undue pressures in the Simsbury School system.

All mind-altering drugs combined with over the counter drugs can induce more profound results.

All package stores selling alcoholic beverages in Simsbury are one of the drivers of Simsbury’s Economic Development.

Many of the Pubs and Bars in the area are another business that drives Economic Development in Simsbury.

It appears that alcohol consumption is a main driver of Economic Development in Simsbury.

Alcohol consumption is legal for adults to use but not abuse.

Alcohol consumption at most Simsbury events sends a signal to the youth that alcohol consumption is the condoned use for entertainment.

The Town Manager should review the policy of using alcohol on Town property in the context of Town liability.

On September 7, 2018 the Simsbury Performing Arts held the Septemberfest event at the Simsbury Meadows. There was a $5 entry fee imposed on adults; exempt from the fees where people working in tents and volunteers.

The fees for tents for the exhibitors were arbitrary with some exhibitors complaining about the inconsistent fees, getting a partial refund for use.

The fees for the blow-ups were excessive with a day pass at $30 per child.

Several years after the purchase of the Simsbury Meadows parents decided to initiate a Septemberfest event for families with a drug free environment.

However, when the Simsbury Performing Arts took over the event the sale of alcohol, prices imposed on exhibitors and entry fess where all regulated by the Performing Arts without any oversight by the Town.

The Town Manager should review the Performing Arts contract that is coming up for review and revise the entire contract to benefit the taxpayers who own the property.