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A SUBURBAN WAR ON DRUGS IS VITAL TO STEM THE TIDE

One of the Daily Herald's most important editorials of 2010 was published almost six months ago.  Its message bears repeating now. 

We must wage a war on drug abuse.  That should be the resolve of law enforcement, our communities, our schools and ourselves. 

Our first editorial was written in the wake of a Roosevelt University study that was definitive proof of heroin's hold on our suburban teens and young adults.  Death by heroin was up 130 percent in Lake County, 150 percent in three years in McHenry County and it doubled in two years in Will County.  It also showed that the majority of teens discharged from hospitals after heroin treatment are from the suburbs, including 25 percent from suburban Cook and 38 percent from the collar counties. 

This is not unique to Chicago's suburbs.  ABC's 20/20 did an October report that focused on suburban heroin use in Minneapolis' suburbs.  It's a national problem, one that cannot be denied, should not be hidden.  The more parents know, the better equipped they are to fight and deal with the scourge that is heroin and the devastation that all drug abuse causes. 

Luckily, there are many instances where this is happening.  It's important to highlight those as examples for others to follow. 

High school districts in Northwest Cook and Lake counties hosted a community symposium in late October to educate the public on the dangers of teenage substance use and abuse. 

Suburban moms from Lake Zurich helped form The Ela Coalition Against Youth Substance Abuse to fight the growing problem. 

And in St.  Charles in November, a community forum was held to focus on drug trends, signs and symptoms of drug use and tips for parents. 

A vital takeaway from the St.  Charles forum was the role marijuana use and drinking plays in leading teens into even harder drugs.  One expert said more teens are in treatment for marijuana dependency than all other drugs combined. 

One teen told the crowd that "from the moment I tried smoking pot and drinking, something clicked in my body and I knew that I liked being altered." That led to cocaine, acid and mushrooms.  It led to her being expelled and it led to criminal activity like forging checks. 

It's a scary story.  But every school district, every community must hold similar forums.  We resolve to highlight these efforts as part of our role in helping to educate the public to the prevalence of drug abuse.  As a region, we must resolve to save lives and to help curb the crime that comes along with increased drug use. 

We were pleased in September to hear the new head of the Drug Enforcement Administration in Chicago say he would target drug activity in the suburbs.  And we urge every parent to be alert, to learn about the signs and to discuss drug abuse with their children. 

Your child's life may depend on it.