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Addiction

Monday, February 4, 2013

Collingswood Police Blotter

Confessed Drug Addict Found Unconscious, Faces New Charges

Michael Richards, who was allegedly involved in a summer crime spree, was arrested again last month for alleged heroin use.

A Collingswood man who was jailed last summer after an evening in which he allegedly participated in a drug-fueled double-burglary and hit-and-run apparently has not gotten the help he needed in the county correctional facility. Michael D. Richards, 33, of Collingswood, a confessed addict who just months ago told his girlfriend—the mother of his two children—that he hoped jail time would help make him "a more productive citizen," was arrested again on drug charges less than two weeks ago. It started at 3 p.m. on Jan. 20, when Collingswood police officers were dispatched to the 500 block of Cattell Ave. to answer the report of an unconscious person. In a second-floor bathroom, they located Richards, who was unresponsive and incoherent. …

MJT530

8:20 pm on Monday, February 4, 2013

People can change. My best friend was addicted to heroin for 12 years. He feels the cravings everyday but finds the strength to not use. I'm very sure everyday he looks at his 4 beautiful kids and finds that strength. He holds down a full time job, bought a home, and is married to a wonderful woman too. The man in this story can defeat his demons with a good network of support.   more ›

Monday, September 24, 2012

Eric J. Pauloski: Arrested 3 Times in 3 Weeks

The repeat offender continues to run up against Collingswood police for crimes related to an apparent heroin addiction.

In July, Collingswood Patch reported on the story of Michael Richards, a Collingswood resident who was eventually incarcerated after his neighbors—and family—could no longer overlook a number of crimes driven by his serious addiction to crack-cocaine. In a similar vein is the story of 31-year-old Collingswood resident Eric J. Pauloski, whose battle with heroin is at the root of a recent series of arrests this month, each about one week apart. Pauloski is no stranger to the Collingswood police blotter. He was pinched in September 2011 for possession of a hypodermic syringe when he was found passed out in an unregistered vehicle. He was collared again in February 2012 in connection with an alleged burglary at Pete’s News Agency. In fact, a …

Anthony Wayne

8:57 pm on Thursday, October 18, 2012

Before the welfare-warfare state there were lots of safety nets for people who needed help. These were funded by donations made at churches, community groups, VFW's and the like. The federal government, by stepping in unconstitutionally, "to take care of us" has made sure that the dismantling of these good works people and places is all but gone. This unintended consequence, or "blowback" is a …   more ›

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Well-Meaning Neighbors Can't Ignore Consequences of Addiction

For years, a West Collingswood neighborhood knew that Michael Richards was "off," but didn't say anything. Now he hopes jail time can help him straighten out.

In the end, Collingswood resident Michael Richards would probably say he’d finally done one wrong thing too many. To his neighbors, the 33-year-old was known as a harmless hard-luck case who offered up a variety of stories when he asked for hand-outs. To borough police, he was a “frequent flyer” who was often bailed out of trouble by his loving family. But after an early-morning jaunt June 24, in which Richards burglarized two homes on Comly and Grant avenues and struck a utility pole in a car he’d stolen from his father, everybody had had enough. Unable to meet the $40,000, full-cash bail necessary to keep himself out of jail, Richards was remanded to the Camden County correctional facility on multiple charges, including theft, burglary …

Walt

10:46 pm on Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Sounds like you're a very caring and compassionate person Linda. I think I believe in letting people make a fresh start after they have served their time, and it has me conflicted now on if I should delete my prior post or not. I guess fear/anger has gotten to me. Sugar coatings can wind me up. Knowing the past history does not mean we have to live by it, just be aware of it. I hadn't given much …   more ›

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