Pubdate: Mon, 16 Oct 2000
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Copyright: 2000 Los Angeles Times
Contact:  Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053
Fax: (213) 237-7679
Website: http://www.latimes.com/
Forum: http://www.latimes.com/discuss/
Author: Judy Silber, Special To The Times

NEIGHBORS BATTLING DRUGS

Community Coalitions Take Up The Fight Where Schools Leave Off. The Approach
Allows People To Tackle Issues Specific To Where They Live.

Until recently, most communities combated drug use with a two-pronged
attack: Schools educated young people about the dangers, and police arrested
violators.

But across Orange County, residents are finding a third way. By joining
together in small groups and coalitions, parents, educators and others are
finding success in spreading the anti-drug message around their
neighborhoods.

"Research over the last 20 years has shown that the most successful
prevention efforts are those that are community-based," said Robin Knox,
project director for Community Service Programs Project PATH. A nonprofit
organization, CSP Project PATH has helped put together several neighborhood
coalitions. Education was once deemed the primary means for prevention, Knox
said. But researchers have found that education only goes so far. Community
organizations can personalize issues and address problems specific to their
neighborhoods, he said.

For instance, after a 12-year-old Huntington Beach boy died while trying to
get high by inhaling air freshener fumes in March, a coalition of residents
and professionals called HB CASA--the Huntington Beach Coalition Against
Substance Abuse--held a town meeting on inhalants. About 75 concerned
parents, teachers, administrators and students showed up.

On St. Patrick's Day, the same group left business cards with local cab
company phone numbers at area bars. And CASA members have another scheme in
the works: a campaign to teach local businesses about responsible alcohol
sales.

Police, teachers, health care professionals and CSP staff all show up at HB
CASA's meetings, but the majority who come can't legally drink.

"One of the strengths of HB CASA is we have a group of very verbal and
straightforward youth," Knox said.

The chairman of HB CASA, 20-year-old Jeremiah Snyder, saw drugs harm too
many friends. "People have been killed," Snyder said. "I've always been one
to stay away, but I wanted to help as many kids as I can."

Members of groups elsewhere in the county have similar reasons for getting
involved. Leslie Whitlinger found herself drawn to the San Clemente Alcohol,
Tobacco and Drug Coalition in 1996, after her brother and sister-in-law died
in a car accident caused by a drunk driver.

"That was pretty startling," Whitlinger said. "It got me thinking this could
happen anywhere."

The San Clemente coalition proved the power of community coalitions.
Concerned about drunk driving and underage drinking, the coalition
approached the City Council. It told the council it wanted to prevent
alcohol problems from growing as they had in other coastal cities.
Eventually, the council agreed, and in December 1999 passed a law that new
businesses must formally train employees in responsible beverage service
training.

Professionals guide the coalitions' activities.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Cher DeCant has talked to the various groups about her
work cracking down on methamphetamine labs, bringing along pictures as well
as stories.

Tanya Martino, a special agent of the California Bureau of Narcotic
Enforcement, is one who regularly shows up. Drawing on her expertise and
contacts, she helped organize methamphetamine town hall meetings in Laguna
Hills, Santa Ana and Anaheim and the inhalant town hall meeting in
Huntington Beach.

In addition to her involvement with the coalitions, Martino has spearheaded
a countywide methamphetamine task force. The task force--also a coalition
made up of specialists from various organizations--expects to present
recommendations on how to promote awareness among youth and the communities
about methamphetamines, Martino said. And she said she fully expects that
coalitions such as the ones in Huntington Beach and San Clemente will play a
key role in fulfilling the task force's goals.

Knox said the success of implementing the new guidelines will depend on
continued and expanded collaborations between the community groups, law
enforcement, prevention programs, treatment facilities and others.

"If you get everyone involved in a coordinated effort, that has the
potential for having the greatest impact," Knox said. "Once that kind of
momentum is going in a community, it usually carries over to everything
else. It changes the norm where people say, 'We're not going to tolerate
this here.' "

* * *

Teen Drug Arrests

Arrests in Orange County of youths on drug charges for 1998.

Felony

Age: 10 or Under 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Arrests: 1 0 3 15 24 60 116 173

Misdemeanor

Age: 10 or Under 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Arrests: 0 1 14 82 144 305 433 535

Source: State Dept. of Justice
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MAP posted-by: Don Beck