Pubdate: Wed, 11 Apr 2001
Source: Quad-City Times (IA)
Copyright: 2001 Quad-City Times
Contact:  http://www.qctimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/857

COMMUNITY MUST KEEP FOCUS ON DRUG PROBLEM

The latest report on drug abuse among Quad-City youth isn't encouraging. 
However, it serves as a reminder that laws are not enough to fix the 
problem. The community must demand a lot from its citizens to really make a 
difference. And, frankly, the community isn't doing enough.

Last week, the Quad-City Metropolitan Enforcement Group, or MEG, issued its 
annual report for the year 2000. In the Quad-Cities:

- - There was a major increase in the use of Ecstasy, also known as MDMA. 
It's cheap and extremely dangerous, with side effects including strokes, 
heart attacks and reduction of intelligence.

- - There was a decrease in the use of methamphetamines but an increase in 
cocaine use.

- - Alcohol and marijuana still are the most abused substances.

- - Drug abuse among all youth doesn't appear to be increasing overall, but 
there are more children using at an earlier age — junior high school or 
younger.

The latter finding is the most alarming and deserves the entire community's 
attention.

There certainly are many local efforts already in place to prevent and 
treat drug abuse by juveniles.

The Center for Alcohol and Drug Services, or CADS, has an adolescent day 
treatment facility in Bettendorf. The Robert Young community Mental Health 
Center in Rock Island also serves young abusers. Proactive efforts by 
education officials have reduced the availability of drugs at schools. Drug 
enforcement agencies continue to be vigilant. And MEG officials and other 
groups provide educational opportunities.

However, some professionals who work with young offenders say more 
resources must be committed if there's to be a quantum leap in effective 
prevention and treatment. They cite the lack of a residential treatment 
center where the more severely addicted patients can be treated more 
intensively. The nearest such facility is in Cedar Rapids.

There's also been rising criticism of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education 
(DARE) program conducted by police for mostly fifth- and sixth-grade 
students. Some national studies of DARE indicate it has no lasting 
deterrence of substance abuse and should be updated or replaced.

These are all things that Quad-City communities must weigh in finding ways 
to reduce drug abuse by juveniles and doing whatever possible to help those 
already addicted. Character-based leadership, strong parental and 
professional involvement in programs and commitment to identifying the best 
strategies and treatment methods remain part of the mix.

Meanwhile, parents and guardians can take immediate action. Research 
indicates that they play the largest role in keeping young people from 
using alcohol, tobacco or illicit drugs. Parents model substance abstinence 
or abuse and express attitudes about drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. They can 
control their children's exposure to drugs by monitoring their activities, 
behavior and friendships. They can nurture an ongoing dialogue with their 
children by learning all they can about the warning signs of drug abuse — 
those parents attending a Pleasant Valley High School seminar on Monday 
night, for example, took a step in the right direction.

The Quad-Cities can do more to reduce drug abuse among youth. Children 
deserve our best effort.
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