Pubdate: Fri, 23 Nov 2001 Source: Daily Independent, The (KY) Copyright: 2001 The Daily Independent, Inc. Contact: http://www.dailyindependent.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1573 Author: Tammie Hetzer-Womack Note: TAMMIE HETZER-WOMACK is a free-lance writer living in Greenup County ALERT LIBRARY ADDS HISPANIC DRUG PREVENTION MATERIALS ASHLAND - A local drug prevention agency has stocked up on materials that it hopes will help the region's growing Spanish-speaking population. The ALERT Regional Prevention Center's library now includes Hispanic/Latino drug prevention materials, which it plans to distribute to those groups that come in contact with Spanish-speaking youth and adults - parents, teachers, counselors and law enforcement. ALERT librarian Anna Jean Brown said she was motivated to develop the resource after her daughter, who lives in a local apartment complex, had trouble with a group of Hispanics in her neighborhood. The men often sat on top of her car, Brown said, making small dents. Her daughter called the police, and then learned that the men understood neither the English language nor the implications of their actions. "The laws in Mexico are very different," Brown explained. "Alcohol and drugs are more acceptable there. Many do not yet understand you just cannot do those types of things here. There are some large cultural differences between the two countries." Brown decided she could help by expanding the selection in the ALERT library to include resources in both Spanish. Among the available resources are kits for groups interested in organizing community drug prevention strategies, drug prevention posters, children's activity books and various flyers and leaflets warning against the dangers of abusing drugs. There is a great demand for Spanish drug prevention material across the country, Brown said. "They were really very difficult to get because the Hispanic population has taken off nationwide," she said. "Just in our community, we have witnessed the growth from the workers who come in to Cook Family Foods to work. "With the numbers we have seen, we know they will have questions about drugs and alcohol." ALERT is urging both public service providers and members of the Hispanic community in the 10-country region it serves to use the center's available informational resources. "I feel we have to reach out to make a difference in their lives," she said. "We can't just sit back and watch. We have to help our communities learn to educate Hispanics about drug prevention." - --- MAP posted-by: Beth