Pubdate: Fri, 28 Aug 2009 Source: Columbian, The (WA) Copyright: 2009 The Columbian Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.columbian.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/92 Author: Jack McFarland JOIN IN HOPE FOR DRUG-FREE FUTURE Returning from a few days out of town, I was disappointed to read about the outcome of the Daybreak Youth Services mural discussion. (An Aug. 17 story reported, "Mural's anti-drug message is silenced.") Apparently, this valuable message was not appropriate for our new downtown image, which is terribly short-sighted. The cost to society through crime to support addiction and the loss to society of youthful human talent is legion. Sadly, nearly any family, at some point, finds the despair of an addiction. My sincere hope, as a former Daybreak Youth Services board member and regular contributor, is that all of this discussion will shine some light on Daybreak Youth Services and the wonderful work they do with addicted teens. We may not be as glamorous as some community nonprofit organizations, but the need is profound and it takes money to fulfill. I invite you to join me in supporting Daybreak if this entire incident has touched your sensibility in some way. Our young people need help. Jack McFarland Vancouver - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake