Pubdate: Fri, 13 Oct 2006 Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL) Copyright: 2006 Sarasota Herald-Tribune Contact: http://www.heraldtribune.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/398 Author: Sean Hall Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) LACK OF YOUTH ACTIVITIES HAS ITS PRICE I continue to hear people speak about the drug problem in the Charlotte County area. My friend, Kai Hockel, died two weeks ago, possibly due to an overdose, so I don't need to hear about the problem; I can see it. This fast-growing community begs the question, what else are we supposed to do? Please tell me why, with a plethora of resources, we can build ourselves into a housing boom, but when someone mentions building a refuge for young people, everyone scratches their head. I wonder how some counties build parks and recreational areas for all ages, along with shooting ranges and preserves for youth recreation. I wonder how many construction people and tax dollars must be needed for them, because we obviously don't have enough. Why is it that our county commissioners can spend more than $75,000 to move a bunk house that can barely stand to a recreational trail that few people use. Historical or not, there are many more problems at this moment that we should be dealing with first. Who makes these decisions where to spend our hard-earned tax dollars? Do these people care about the youth or the drug problems without resorting to the security-system solution? Election time is near. Do politicians care about anything other than Social Security and taxes and insurance prices? What do these issues have to do with me? As a recent college graduate returning to this area, I am extremely disappointed in the focus of our leaders. They are leading the rich to be afraid of the poor. But they should realize one thing: Drugs don't have to be a problem. Not if we have somewhere else to turn. Sean Hall, Port Charlotte - --- MAP posted-by: Derek