Suicide Rates Prompt Massena Leaders To Create Walk-In CenterConcerned with the number of suicides in the area, Massena Police Chief Timmy Currier is working with local church leaders to set up a "We Care" walk-in center. Currier says church leaders will help people who are hurting emotionally and spiritually by talking with them and making referrals. Chief Currier called 7 News This Morning to talk about the program and the problems that led to its creation. The program is being set up, Currier said "so that those people can make the referrals that are necessary to try to get people here to get the help we think so many people in this community are looking for." There will be an open house for the new walk-in center from 11 a.m. until noon Thursday. The center is in Massena's downtown outreach center at 56-58 Main Street, which is next to the town hall. Suicide rates in St. Lawrence County have more than doubled since 2007, Currier said. "And recently, here in Massena, we've had a number of them in a short period of time that really raised a red flag for us." He said it's not just young people who are affected, as many people believe. The average age of a suicide victim in St. Lawrence County last year was 44, he said. "It's affecting the broad population as a whole." While the economy can play a role, Currier said, "a number of the suicides we dealt with last year we could attribute to the misuse or abuse of prescription drugs. "Because that addiction is so nasty and it's very difficult to get away from that problem, it contributed to those suicides," he said. Click on the picture to hear the full interview. |
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
, Watertown, NY
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