Pubdate: Fri, 12 Apr 2002
Source: News Journal (DE)
Copyright: 2002 The News Journal
Contact:  http://www.delawareonline.com/newsjournal/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/822
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

THE UPCOMING SUMMIT FOR YOUTH SHOULD FOCUS ON OUTREACH PROGRAMS

This month, the members of the Stop the Violence Coalition will continue 
their daunting task of trying to reduce shootings, drug use and other 
illegal activities among young people in Wilmington. A week from Saturday 
they will hold their second "Teen Youth Summit" since last August at 
Salesianum School.

The group was formed after a particularly unfortunate shooting in a barber 
shop near 4th and Market streets left a man and a little boy dead. These 
fatalities were part of a stream of shootings that have plagued Wilmington 
for years. Mayor Baker rightfully sees drugs at the root of most violence 
and other illegal activity. The shootings seem to ebb and flow but never 
diminish.

The coalition holding the summit intend to focus on how young people can 
avoid drug and alcohol use, resolve conflicts and deal with curfews, 
parents and police. These are worthy goals. But there is a problem: the 500 
or so teens who will come to the summit already understand the need for 
changed behavior and, in fact, aren't the thugs committing the crimes.

We would urge the coalition leaders and the young people who attend the 
summit to devote at least part of the day to development of an outreach 
program; an effort to bring the coalition's worthy message to the young 
people selling drugs and defending their territory with guns.

It is right to nurture the instincts for good, law abiding behavior in the 
"good kids," but until the gangs of anti-social hoodlums are persuaded to 
leave drugs and weapons alone, the shootings in Wilmington will not abate.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom