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Underage drinking is a crime

It’s that time of year again, when many families start planning their prom, after-party, graduation, graduation party schedules. As they do so, the Ohio Department of Commerce and the Ohio Department of Public Safety have joined forces to remind them these accomplishments and milestones can be celebrated WITHOUT alcohol. In fact, the departments included liquor permit holders in the wide net they cast to address those who can help kids safer this season: “Addressing underage drinking requires a united effort from all members of the community, including parents and schools. By ...

Why not take the extra step?

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration calls our country’s substance abuse epidemic “a clear and present public health, public safety and national security threat.” No one needs to tell those living in our region that. We see it every day. And most of us wonder whether there is anything WE can do about it. There is. Among the ways we can combat the problem is taking advantage of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day to remove unneeded medications from our homes, preventing the possibility they might fall into someone else’s hands. The DEA calls it a “measure of ...

Ensure service to all Ohio kids

Ohio’s kids are facing challenges many adults cannot fathom in an age of social media and other online threats; incidents of bullying — not just in person, but via text; families struggling with economic and health challenges (including 45.6 drug overdose deaths per 100,000, in 2022); and an uncertain academic atmosphere in which lawmakers just don’t seem to be able to keep themselves out of educators’ way. It’s an atmosphere that can lead to mental health crises that require more help than what parents or teachers can offer. But Gov. Mike DeWine has announced an expansion of ...

Protect them, anyway

A U.S. District Court judge’s decision to strike down Ohio’s requirement that children under age 16 must have parental consent to use social media and some gaming apps is being viewed as a victory by trade group NetChoice (which represents TikTok, Snapchat, Meta and other companies) and some First Amendment advocates. But it is important to read all of what Judge Algenon Marbley had to say on the matter. Marbley did not say the intent of the law was not commendable. He said it went too far. Marbley said the law ‘’resides at the intersection of two unquestionable rights: the ...

Looking forward to seeing the difference

Ohio’s Department of Commerce reports the state is facing a serious problem as the number of firefighters declines while the number of emergency calls increases. Between 2018 and 2021, there was a 6.5% decrease in the number of volunteer firefighters as between 2018 and 2020 there was a 9% increase in emergency calls. Approximately 72% of fire departments in the state are volunteer — in Washington County, that figure is 70%, but municipalities that have paid fire departments are facing shortages, too. Washington County Career Center is looking to do something about that, and open ...

Overlooking importance of education

Though they have already significantly weakened the State Board of Education, Ohio lawmakers are now on the move to eliminate the public’s voice on what is left of the board. Members of the House of Representatives passed their version of the state budget earlier this month. It included the reduction of the state board’s membership from 11 elected members and eight members appointed by the governor to five — all of whom would be appointed by the governor, according to a report by the Ohio Capital Journal. Elected members serving this year are Kristie Reighard, Dist. 1, Swanton; ...