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 - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D