Pubdate: Fri, 01 Jun 2007 Source: Courier-Post (Cherry Hill, NJ) Copyright: 2007 Courier-Post Contact: http://www.courierpostonline.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/826 Author: Dana Forde, Courier-Post Staff BROOKLAWN FAMILY LAMENTS DEATH OF SON With a soft voice and loving smile, Vicki Zemek recalled fond memories of her son, James, when he was a child. "He was a handful, but he was a happy, happy kid," Zemek said. Seventeen-year-old James knew Spanish so well many people thought he was a native speaker, Zemek added. James easily befriended many Spanish-speaking people and effortlessly cultivated friendships with people from all racial backgrounds, Zemek said. "Race means nothing to him. That's how we raised him," Zemek said. "And we welcomed any friend he brought through here with open arms." After James started using marijuana about a year ago, Zemek and her husband vowed to stop at nothing to help their son quit. But on Wednesday, James was fatally shot near Broadway and Emerald Street in South Camden, according to the Camden County Prosecutor's Office. So far, no arrests have been made and the investigation continues. This year, 12 homicides have been reported in Camden, said Bill Shralow, a spokesman for the Camden County Prosecutor's Office. Of those, 11 have been murders, Shralow said. Ten of the murders have been shooting-related deaths. Zemek said her son's death highlights the dangers of drugs and the shortcomings of the state's drug treatment facilities. "We tried to get the help for him and nobody would help us," she said. "Nobody would take him." Zemek and her husband hoped a Secaucus-based residential treatment facility would aid in their son's recovery so they signed him up in March. But James stayed for only two days. "They needed better security and food. He couldn't even have a radio," Zemek said. "If they had a better program, he would've been better. He would be alive today." The day before he died, James saved the life of a turtle that was crossing a busy street, Zemek said. The act, she added, is proof of James' kind and gentle spirit. "If he met you in the street, he would be nice to you," Zemek said. "He had a heart." - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake