Pubdate: Sat, 20 Oct 2007
Source: Carlsbad Current-Argus (NM)
Copyright: 2007 Carlsbad Current-Argus
Contact:  http://www.currentargus.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2549
Author: Tom Moody

WALKERS EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR ANTI-DRUG EFFORTS

CARLSBAD -- A group of approximately 40 persons  gathered Saturday
morning for the Fourth Annual Prayer  Walk in downtown Carlsbad,
walking one mile to the  Beach Park and praying for the city.

The walk was sponsored by the Carlsbad Community  Anti-Drug/Gang
Coalition. Coalition Preventionist  Alison Bryant said the prayer walk
is one of the  strategies the Coalition uses to help the community
work toward becoming drug free.

"This year will be scaled down some with less people,  there are so
many things going on in Carlsbad today,"  she said.

Don Suggs, one of Saturday's walkers, said he had lost  a son to
drugs.

"I have a lot of experience with drugs," he said. "With  losing my
son, it's a hard thing to deal with. Every  family is affected
somehow. I know so many of them."

Woods Houghton, Community Coalition board president  Woods Houghton,
who has participated in all four walks,  led the procession driving
his tractor.

"It is one of those issues that I think all faiths  should be able to
come together on," Houghton said.  "These are out children and our
community, wherever  they pray."

Houghton said that every year after the prayer walk  takes place there
are several major drug busts in Carlsbad.

"Drug addiction has been with us for 8,000 years, so  it's not going
to go away overnight," he said. "This is  an opportunity for all the
faiths to stand up and say,  We don't want drugs in our
community.'"

Ken Hargues, a pharmacist at Southwest Pharmacy in  Carlsbad, said he
sees a lot of drug addiction issues  in the community.

"My commitment to Christ motivates me to come out for  this walk,"
Hargues said. "What Christ did with dying  and the Resurrection gives
us all a plan for salvation.  I would like everyone in Carlsbad to see
the light he  shines, regardless of where they are right now."

Hargues said the walk is an opportunity for him to pray  for people in
the jail, to find the Lord and have their  lives changed.

"I pray that these people will become a help to the  community, not a
hindrance," he said. "I pray that this  city will prosper and thrive
and we won't be plagued by  drugs."

Another walker was Betty Crutchfield, who said this was  her first
time on the walk.

"I am walking and praying for the protection of our  children," she
said. "They are our future and there are  so many things out there. I
am always praying for the  children here."

Crutchfield said she has three grandchildren graduating  this
year.

"I am so thankful they haven't gotten mixed up in  drugs," she said.
"I feel with the Lord's help, our  schools and community can be a safe
place."

Lester Higgins said he had recently joined the  Christian Motorcycle
Association in Carlsbad.

"I joined to spread the word of Jesus," he said. "I  like to go on
these walks. It's a chance to share the  word of God with those who
will listen. This walk is  one of those things we have to do and it is
a good  thing."
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MAP posted-by: Derek