Heroin epidemic in our young adults (18-30 yr olds) is out of control, especially in Avon Lake. Yes, that is correct.....AVON LAKE! There have been numerous deaths here within the last few months alone. Why doesn't the media cover this? We need to help these young people before it's to late. Thank God these people were caught, because if it had been any longer they would've ended dead, found with a needle in their arm. It all starts in High School with prescription pills, and I know for a fact they are there as we speak. Can you please do a story and maybe help a family know the signs, or save a teens life before heading down this path.

I went to school with chelsea and stephen. Im in shock. Havent seen them since high school, but i never would have believed this. Glad they were caught. People need to wake up. You are grown adults. Drugs and breaking in. Hope they get the help they need. Very scary, you never know who people really are. And she was a nanny!

I agree with Erinn more needs to be done with this in our community. It's only getting worse.

She was a nanny before the fact tho bc all this happened within in the last year. She has a good heart and is still a sweet girl. Unfortunately the drugs took over. I hope for her sake she gets the help she desperaty needs. I am sad that this happened but also glad they got caught. Could have been worse, like dying of a heroin overdose. This way she will get clean and get better. I agree with Erinn. So many people espcially lately have died of
heroin overdoses. It has become and epidemic in Avon Lake. Parents are oblivious to how bad this really has hit the High School and don't want to think it could be their kid. Parents need to open their eyes that this is real and could be there child next. Something needs to be done in the community about this, or it will just keep getting worse :/

In the early 80's I attended a meeting in Elyria where 5 hi school boys were telling the how,when and where of using drugs in the High School. Four (4) of the boys were from Avon Lake High School and admitted they had drugged up before coming on stage. People. this was early 80's...nothing has changed and nothing will. Those boys are probably your parents today. Get it??

Shame on you anonymous for not doing anything about it then. I would NEVER let someone get away with abusing my children or stealing from my home. What parent does that? Couldn't you see as a parent yourself this girl needed help??

Numerous deaths in the last few months?

Having been a health teacher for 10 years and having 3 kids graduate from Avon Lake High School, I think education of fellow teachers and all support staff is critical to identifying students who are struggling with drug abuse. As I used to tell my students "there is a thin line between use and abuse, once you cross that thin line, it becomes a very thick line and it is extremely difficult to return to the other side of that line."

I think they make a cute couple - maybe they can get married in prison and have their 25th anniversary the same as their parole date. If any of these dirty dopers come near my house and look in the window - Im gonna get them all the help they need. A nice warm .45acp Gold Dot jacketed hollow point bullet to the face. I'll introduce them to Jesus and he can help them with the drug and stealing and generally being bad people problem.

Making it right with Jesus!

http://www.facebook.com/robert.darrow.37 I hope that little boy you are holding one day doesn't end up a drug user. These kids were that age once as well, I'm sure their parents never thought it would be them.

Stores sell drug tests...test your kids randomly and watch what you find !! Parents are clueless!

In your face Darrow!

I knew Stephen a long time ago. He was a normal kid. Good football player. Drugs...especially painkillers and heroin are running rampant with young people everywhere. They start with prescription painkillers...develop a habit...then go to heroin...the cheaper alternative. I grew up in Avon Lake. I know so many people who have a problem, had a problem and got help, or are now dead. It is really sad. People like Darrow think it is funny. Darrow....you might be surprised to find that Jesus doesn't want to meet you.

I also grew up with Stephen and chelsea, both who have always been good people. This is a truly sad story of how drugs took over. I never in a million years would have thought that Chelsea especially would be capable of such a thing. However, things like this happen to save people. Now that they have been caught they hopefully can get back on the right track. I'm saddened to see such negative comments especially about killing them. They don't deserve to die because they stole stuff, that's a bit harsh. People are different when they are on drugs. I went to school with Chelsea since kindergarten and she is an absolute sweetheart. People just make wrong choices sometimes...

My son just informed me of another classmate died this week...Not sure if drugs were the reason, hope not.

I have a few friends that work for another newspaper and the reason why they don't is because people rip them apart for doing it. Go to the Chronicle Telegram's page and watch what all the idiots post on there.

I went to school with both of these people and know them and their activities quite well. If you are a parent and asking yourself how does this happen. Well for starters the athletic programs there mean everything to the community. What is couple of pills to a athlete if it takes the pain away and ensures a new shiny trophy. Or lets say someone wants to appear cool at a party why not smoke some weed, drink some beer and well I don't know snort of line of whatever their parents failed to hide. The emphasize to be cool (which by todays standards means you act like a stupid jackass), the desire to win a championship (often times encouraged by parents, teachers, friends and not for the better), or sheer boredom (have you grown up in Avon Lake, not much to do) are the man driving forces which push young adults to experiment. So in general unless we provide a diverse enviroment which compels our young adults to behave like adults there will never be a change. Parents start taking a interest in your kids and what THEY want to do. They are not a way for you to relive your high school years and they are not your friends. Be a parent and lay some ground rules. Hide the booze, drugs, and whatever else you have stashed around your house and if you are thinking to yourself " Oh, my kid never does that" I will laugh in your face. I have personally seen some of the nicest, smartest kids do some of the worst things imaginable for the desire to be intoxicated. Don't be naive, kids are stupid.