An Increase in Drug Activity

BROOKVILLE, JEFFERSON COUNTY - Heroin in our Hometown was the first item discussed at the Brookville Chamber of Commerce's Eggs and Issues.

The Chamber invited District Attorney Jeff Burkett to talk about how heroin is affecting the county.

Burkett began by discussing the case of Christopher Thornhill. Thornhill was found guilty of attempted homicide after shooting two Punxsutawney men in September of 2011. Burkett said the shooting was a result of drugs. Thornhill was dealing heroin to the victims.

He told the audience of about 50 people that the need to get high takes over an addict's life. As a prosecutor he sees first hand how controlling heroin can be stating nothing else matters to the addict and they will do anything to get a fix.

Burkett was asked to share tips to keep kids off drugs. He told the audience he does not judge anyone and no one is perfect. He further commented anyone can become an addict. To stop the spread of addiction, he asked parents to be involved in their kids' lives.

He spoke of how technology has changed communication and on how text messages now allow for silent, personal conversations. Texting makes drug dealing easier. He tells parents to check their phone bills and see just how many texts their kids are sending.

He added when he first began serving as DA 15 years ago he did not see nearly the amount of heroin addiction he does now. Jefferson County and the State Police Drug Task Force have formed a new partnership to put more boots on the ground and combat the drug issue.