National Drug Trend 'Clearly Present In Glen Rock,' Officials Say

GLEN ROCK, NJ — The use of illegal drugs, including LSD, and alcohol by children and teenagers is "clearly present" in the borough — and officials are imploring parents to help them prevent such activity from continuing to occur.

Thirteen municipal and education officials, including Mayor Bruce Packer, Police Chief Dean Ackermann and Board of Education President Bryon Torsiello, said in a letter to local parents that police and school officials do as much as they can to monitor kids' activities — but there is only so much they can do.

"In most cases a crime must take place before the police can act, which means it is already too late," the letter states, noting that school officials are bound by similar restrictions.

"Parents and guardians have no such limits on their authority," the letter states. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of care."

While heroin use has skyrocketed to epidemic proportions in North Jersey, Glen Rock officials have seen a "resurgence" in the use of LSD.

"Addiction knows no limits," the letter states. "It is as much of a problem here as anywhere else."

Police also warned parents about hosting underage drinking parties and making alcohol available to minors.

"Many unsupervised or poorly supervised parties have resulted in alcohol or substance abuse, extensive property damage, theft and sexual assaults," the letter states. "If you decide to go away and leave your teen home alone, you are responsible for their actions and the actions of those who show up at your home, even if uninvited."

Authorities also warned about the prevalence of sexting among teenagers. They asked parents to check children's phones, social media accounts and other electronic devices.

Teens often share such images "without realizing the potential consequences. These actions have legal and psychosocial implicants that can follow them through the rest of their lives."

Here is the letter in its entirety:

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