As drug use continues to be an issue across the region, local police see the issue first hand.

“As far as our area, we have seen an increase in suicidal threats and mental health calls which have been steadily increasing,” Youngsville Police Chief Todd Mineweaser said. “Drug addiction is a major part of our mental health calls today. Years of doing drugs causes your brain and heart to no longer have hope, joy, love or purpose in life. Eventually people become so depressed they don’t want to live and that is very sad.”

According to Warren County First Assistant District Attorney Cody Brown, who handles most of the county drug task force cases, overdoses have spiked in the county in recent years.

In the City of Warren, there were 13 overdoses resulting in three deaths in 2022 and 15 overdoses resulting in four deaths in 2024, according to police Chief Joseph Sproveri.

According to Mineweaser, prevention is key to combating the issue.

“We need better leadership in this country on drug prevention instead of acceptance,” he said. “We spent billions on Narcan which saves lives from overdoses, which is great, but it’s after we have created so many more addicts. What are we doing for preventive measures? We give people drugs to get off of drugs.”

He attributes the issue in part to children being taught that medication is the way to deal with problems.

“Some kids, at a very young age, are being prescribed medications to help them with depression, anxiety, insomnia, ADD, ADHD etc. (that) they may never be able to stop taking. This goes on for generations and some turn from prescribed drugs to street drugs because they are tired of feeling the way they do and are desperate for change.”

Mineweaser believes that encouraging people to live healthier lifestyles rather than taking medication would help prevent drug issues.

“How can we change all of this? Well, we can start with doctors pushing more people to eat better, exercise regularly, and get more sleep,” he said. “Parents should lead by example by working, owning a house, car, going to church regularly, good communication with their children, This gives people hope, purpose, joy and (the ability to) feel loved. Especially our children.

People that feel loved, needed or wanted. Don’t want to hurt themselves, their family or loved ones.”