Pubdate: Sun, 10 Feb 2002 Source: Daily Herald (IL) Copyright: 2002 The Daily Herald Company Contact: http://www.dailyherald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/107 Author: Darlene Marcusson LET'S WORK TOGETHER TO FIGHT DRUG PROBLEMS I would like to publicly thank the Daily Herald for the community meeting it sponsored Jan. 29 to better inform the community about our drug problems. We are not the only community that is experiencing drug problems, and we are not the only community that has been very aware of the depth of the problems. But that is beginning to change, and it is due in large part to meetings such as the one that took place Jan. 29. Let us not let the meeting Jan. 29 be the end of our involvement and determination to stand together as a community to fight this terrible evil. Parents, please become or stay active at your schools and encourage the administrations and school boards to do everything in their power to address this problem. Talk to your kids and make sure their activities are safe. If you have a young person who you think is in trouble, seek help immediately. There is a support group that meets the first and third Thursday of every month from 7 to 9 p.m. at Lazarus House for those who have a loved one with an addiction. Lots of good information and support is available at these meetings, which are on a first-name basis only and are free. Attending one is a good starting point if you think you may have a problem in your family. Students, you know who is bringing drugs into your schools. You can quietly let the administration know so these students can get the help they need before it is too late. School boards, please do not look the other way or minimize the extent of this problem. Church and civic leaders, use your influence to bring home the message that this will not be tolerated in our community, and we are going to stand together to make a difference. Law enforcement agencies and legislators, do not let the enormity of the problem deter you from doing all in your power to stop it. Together we can make a difference. Let us resolve to do so, for lives are at stake; the lives of our children and the quality of life in our community. Darlene Marcusson Executive Director Lazarus House St. Charles - --- MAP posted-by: Josh