Pubdate: Wed, 15 Mar 2006 Source: Press & Sun Bulletin (NY) Copyright: 2006 Press & Sun Bulletin Contact: http://www.pressconnects.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/878 Author: Michael A. Bonventre REPEATED CALLS FOR ACTION ON LOCAL DRUG ACTIVITY HAVE FALLEN ON DEAF EARS Meth prevention and child endangerment programs: Just go to any coffee shop, diner, social club or pub and find out anything you want to know. Local residents have been reporting drug activity for years. I have been doing it for 24 years. In that time, not one law enforcement agency or politician has responded to my offers to share information. In 1982, I went to Florida and enlisted law enforcement agencies there to help fight crime and drugs in Broome County. Since then, I have been consulting and drug testing an average of 200-plus working residents monthly, most of whom claim to be frustrated with the lack of response to repeated complaints of drug traffic in their neighborhoods. I have been complaining about meth labs for more than 10 years. Now I am consistently complaining about the numerous pre-teens testing positive for heroin and cocaine. Maybe 10 years from now when a couple of pre-teens die or start shooting people we will act surprised and attempt to inform the public. Information is plentiful; it just isn't acted on. Shame on us for not demanding action. Michael A. Bonventre Johnson City - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman