Pubdate: Wed, 02 Aug 2000
Source: Tribune Review (PA)
Copyright: 2000 Tribune-Review Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://triblive.com/
Author: Ken Cuccinelli

GOING TO POT

My wife and I attended a beautiful wedding and reception that was held on 
one of the Gateway Clipper boats that sail from Station Square. Also that 
evening was a Rusted Root concert at the IC Light Amphitheater. Because of 
this parking was a challenge.

In the course of the long walk from my car to the boat and later from the 
boat to my car, we observed the open and widespread use of drugs. There 
were many groups of young people just sitting on the ground smoking pot and 
passing the joint around to the next youngster. I saw white powder being 
snorted ­ not once but several times, and alcohol was everywhere, even in 
the cars leaving the parking lot. Coincidentally, there was a young person 
(whose accuracy I trust) who attended the concert who said it was worse on 
the inside.

I never saw one of Pittsburgh's finest, anywhere. There were a couple of 
the security guards but they were ignoring the situation right in front of 
their noses. We complain a lot about what the police do, but here is a case 
of them not doing what they should.

As a parent, I would suggest that all teen-agers not be allowed to attend 
the shows until there is some assurance from Mayor Tom Murphy that the laws 
will be enforced.

The public also should be apprised of what will be done to stop this kind 
of blatant public disregard for the laws. We all can shrug our shoulders 
and say, "The President does it so it must be OK for others." Modeling good 
behavior has to start somewhere. Why not Pittsburgh?

Ken Cuccinelli, Gibsonia
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