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
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman