Pubdate: Fri, 09 Sep 2005 Source: San Francisco Examiner (CA) Copyright: 2005 San Francisco Examiner Contact: http://www.examiner.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/389 Author: Kate Williamson Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin) ADULT LITERACY PROGRAM REACHES 20-YEAR MILESTONE Project Read Aids 150 People Every Year SAN MATEO - Alonso McConnell had a long way to travel to get sober from heroin, but until recently he couldn't read the road signs. Literally. McConnell, 63, was nearly illiterate four years ago, limited to reading words of four to five letters. But since 2002, the nonprofit program aide, former roofer and father of 12 has been reading and improving his life through the San Mateo Public Library's Project Read program. The program turns 20 this month. McConnell is celebrating, too: After 32 years as an on-again, off-again prisoner of the California Department of Corrections, he's off parole this week and can register to vote. "About 37 percent of San Mateo County residents are in the lowest two of five levels of literacy," according to a 1992 survey, Caroline Beverstock said. New survey data is due to be released this year. - --- MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman