Pubdate: Fri, 23 Jan 2004
Source: Birmingham News, The (AL)
Copyright: 2004 The Birmingham News
Contact:  http://al.com/birminghamnews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/45
Author: Jon Anderson

HOOVER MAYOR GETS KUDOS FOR ANTI-DRUG COALITION'S JOB

The leader of a national anti-drug effort recognized Hoover Mayor
Barbara McCollum and Hoover's anti-drug coalition during his speech to
2,200 people at a leadership conference in Washington, D.C., this week.

Arthur Dean, a retired U.S. Army general, is chairman and chief
executive officer of the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America. He
told the group Wednesday at the 14th annual Leadership Forum, that
people from diverse backgrounds are getting involved in substance
abuse prevention and treatment.

He cited McCollum and the Hoover coalition's success at significantly
reducing the percentage of high school students who smoke marijuana.

The percentage of ninth-graders in Hoover schools who reported
marijuana use dropped from 27 percent in 1989 to 11.4 percent in 2001
and 12.4 percent in 2003, according to a school system study.

Dean later said in a statement that he mentioned McCollum and the
Hoover coalition in his speech "because they are an outstanding
example of the power of community coalitions.

"In addition, Mayor McCollum's dedication to the Hoover coalition
demonstrated how important it is for elected officials to be involved
in coalitions," Dean said. "Substance abuse is America's number one
health problem, and finding solutions requires dedicated leadership
like Mayor McCollum's leadership of the Hoover coalition."

McCollum, who is attending the coalition training conference with
Carissa Anthony, the coordinator of Hoover's coalition, said she was
completely surprised by Dean's remarks. "I didn't expect it at all,"
she said.

Hoover's coalition also was listed as one of five success stories in
the training conference's schedule of activities.

The Hoover anti-drug coalition is a partnership of parents, teachers,
young people, law enforcement, health providers, religious leaders,
business and civic leaders, elected officials and other concerned citizens.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin