Pubdate: Sun, 27 Jan 2002
Source: Daily Herald (IL)
Copyright: 2002 The Daily Herald Company
Contact:  http://www.dailyherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/107
Author: Joseph E. Birkett
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n140/a11.html

MAKE COMMITMENT TO FIGHTING DRUG ABUSE

I would like to take this opportunity to praise the Daily Herald for its 
outstanding series on the "Hidden Scourge" of illegal drug use, and 
especially Madeleine Doubek and the staff writers who contributed to its 
excellence. In addition, their hosting of the Tuesday, Jan. 29 community 
forum "Heroin and Club Drug Use" at the Arcada Theater in St. Charles is 
testament to the Daily Herald's commitment to be more than just a newspaper 
that reports the news, but a contributing member of our local communities.

During my 20 years as a prosecutor, time and time again I have seen the 
devastation that the use and abuse of drugs has caused in the lives of so 
many, including the addicts themselves, their families and the many 
citizens whose lives are effected as a result. These club drugs are deadly, 
and sometimes only one pill could cost the life of a teen. Ask the parents 
in our local communities who mourn the loss of their child, their brother, 
or their sister. It happens.

Strengthening the law and enhancing penalties is just one important step in 
addressing this problem. Education, treatment and prevention efforts are 
also critical. We need to reach out to kids before they experiment, not 
after it's too late.

The Daily Herald's series brought the problem to light, highlighting the 
fact that the use of heroin and club drugs is not just a problem for 
Chicago or the suburbs, but for all of Illinois. The use of these drugs is 
happening in our high schools, at our shopping malls, in city alleys as 
well as on our farms. Dealers don't discriminate when introducing illegal 
drugs to our youth. Unfortunately, while teens are experimenting with drugs 
and dying, drug kingpins are getting rich.

The community forum that the Daily Herald is presenting on Jan. 29 at the 
Arcada Theater in St. Charles, "Heroin and Club Drug Use", is vitally 
important and should be used as a model across the state. Bringing together 
former users, law enforcement, researchers, drug experts and families who 
have lost loved ones as a result of these club drugs will provide an 
excellent panel for this community forum. It will allow parents, teens and 
citizens to hear firsthand the potential impacts on the health and 
development of our teens and the impact these drugs are having on our 
communities. In addition, you will hear from families whose lives have been 
tragically affected. These aren't families from New York or Colorado. These 
are our neighbors who are suffering the loss of children because of 
Ecstasy, heroin and club drugs.

Parents, teenagers, educators, clergy as well as all citizens need to 
listen. The Daily Herald has brought the issue to the forefront. Now it is 
our job to act in order to make a positive difference in our communities.

Joseph E. Birkett, DuPage County State's Attorney, Wheaton
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D