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
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