Pubdate: Wed, 18 Mar 2009
Source: Tri-City News (Port Coquitlam, CN BC)
Copyright: 2009 Tri-City News
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/3X3xlf9Y
Website: http://www.tricitynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1239
Author: V. & R. Anderson

EDUCATION SUPPORT - AND MOM AND DAD - ARE THE ANSWER TO GANG PROBLEMS

The Editor,

Re. "Kids not worried about gangs - but when should you worry about 
kids?" (The Tri-City News, March 11).

In response to the article that stated kids aren't frightened and 
aren't paying attention to the grim headlines about the gangs and the 
violence taking place, I would like to share with you what our 
seven-year-old grandson has to say in response to this.

Kolby thinks gangsters should be put into a school before they get 
too bad so that they can learn not to do drugs, not hurt people, not 
kill people and not join with people to do drugs. The school would 
teach them to understand how to control their anger and stop doing 
drugs. He also thinks that they should talk to their moms and dads 
and let them know their feelings because parents will help.

We feel it is important to talk to our grandchildren about the 
dangers of drugs and gangs. We try to help them understand that being 
involved in a gang is nothing to be proud of and that they gain more 
by contributing positively in our society, by being considerate and 
respectful to their friends and family. It is important to keep the 
lines of communication open so they can share their feelings.

We hope that through positive reinforcement we will see these two 
boys grow up to be upstanding citizens of society and that they will, 
in turn, become positive influences on those around them.

V. & R. Anderson,
Port Moody 
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart