Anadarko Officials Grapple With Recent Youth Suicides

City officials and pastors in Anadarko have met in an effort to find ways to prevent young people who have taken their own lives.

The town of about 6,700 has had four suicides since December with the victims being 11, 16 and two in their early 20s.

Police Chief Jason Smith told reporters that there is no clear connection to the four self-inflicted deaths, other than that each has been violent.

Smith and City Manager Kenneth Corn say the prevention efforts include suicide prevention training for all public employees -- from library and park staff to clerks who take utility bill payments. The two also say area churches are planning to work with youth in after school programs.

1/20/2016 Related Story: Anadarko Heartbroken Over Recent Suicides