March 20-26, 2023 is National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week.  Addiction can happen to any person regardless of age.  It usually starts when a person is young.  According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, addiction is the result of changes in the brain that can come from substance abuse.  Addictions affect how people think and what they do.  There are no specific “type” of person who becomes addicted.  People can face addiction regardless of where they are from, or their social status.

Though this may be a difficult topic to discuss with a family member or friend, it is important to have this discussion as it may save a person from problems in the future that can include arrest, loss of employment, or even death.  Teens are especially vulnerable due to peer pressure from friends who may experiment with drugs and alcohol.  One important sign of addiction is that a person continues to use drugs even though it’s harming their life: physical health, performance at school or work, or relationships. They feel like they can’t stop using drugs, no matter what happens. Continue reading →

Scams and fraud tactics are part of our society.  With advanced technology, predators can easily commit crimes from the comfort of their home or “workplace.”  The Police Department receives complaints about scams frequently.  Here are a few that are noteworthy and are driven on emotion or fear.  Think before you react!  Do not give out personal information, make any wire transfer or purchase gift cards.

• The IRS called requesting personal information or threatening arrest for a payment of owed taxes. The IRS will not call you and request you make payments using gift cards or wire transfers.
• Another financial scam people report is their bank or other financial institution calling “alerting” that their account has been hacked and they need your information to stop a transaction from happening. If it’s truly your bank calling, they will have all of your information, right?  Hang up and call your bank to verify if you need to.
• The “Grandparent” scam is still prevalent in this area. You may receive a call from your “grandchild” who is trouble and is afraid to call their parent.  A request for a wire transfer or gift card will be made for bond.  Call your son/daughter to verify where your grandchild is.
• If you receive a call from a person who allegedly works for Microsoft or any anti-virus company indicating that there is a problem with your computer, they are looking to access your computer remotely. They want you to give them permission to access your computer to “fix” the problem.  This person will have access to all of your information and any saved banking and/or credit card information.  If you are on the internet and a message pops up indicating you have a virus and need to call Microsoft or an anti-virus software company, do not call them.  They are attempting the same scam.

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