Pubdate: Sat, 09 Aug 2003 Source: Intelligencer & Wheeling News-Register (WV) Copyright: 2003 The Intelligencer & Wheeling News Register Contact: http://www.intellnews.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1633 HOPEFUL CITY ADDRESSES DRUG ISSUE Officials with Hopeful City have released statistics on illegal drug activities in an effort to inform members of both the community and Hopeful City participants of the reason for the "holy ground action" scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Thursday. Illegal drug activity costs each Wheeling resident an average of $325 per year, Hopeful City claims. "Those who don't mind spending this money can sit back and do nothing. Those who do can join Hopeful City members in their effort to let drug traffickers know they are no longer willing to foot the bill for the fallout of such illegal activity," a release from Hopeful City stated. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the total cost of drug abuse for the United States is $97.7 billion per year, including health costs, productivity costs, and economic loss. More than 50 percent of that total comes from crime related to illegal drug use. Wheeling's share of the national cost is approximately $10.4 million per year. These statistics, shared at Hopeful City's August board meeting, are one reason that more than 300 Hopeful City members of congregations throughout the city have committed to attend Thursday's event. "Our members recognize the magnitude of the economic impact drug trafficking has on the Wheeling area," said Rev. Mark Seitz, Hopeful City's president. "They are no longer willing to sit idly by while drug traffickers from Detroit, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Columbus, Ohio come to our neighborhoods and damage our economy and our community." Statistics show that nationwide, about $ 57.3 billion - roughly equal to the amount of money the federal government spends on the Department of Education - goes to purchase illegal drugs. That translates to a $6.1 million drug trade in the Wheeling area. A team of Hopeful City leaders have been meeting with law enforcement and other officials to discuss how a coordinated effort could provide more impact in stemming the drug trade. Another reason Hopeful City members are concerned about illegal drug use is because of the devastating effect it is having on children. According to the University of Michigan Monitoring of the Future Annual Report for 2002, youth are particularly prone to drug use and abuse. The report states that: 53 percent of youth have tried an illicit drug by the end of high school. 32 percent of youth have tried an illicit drug by the end of 81h grade. 30 percent have tried a drug other than marijuana by the end of high school. Drug use is no longer concentrated in highly urban areas; if recent rends continue, use in non-urban areas will actually be higher by proportion. There are no statistically significant differences in drug use among socioeconomic classes - rates of specific drug use may vary, but overall use is level across the board. The rate of drug use for white Americans is higher than it is for African-Americans and Hispanic Americans. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens