Twenty-five years is a long run for any nonprofit organization, especially one taking on such a seemingly intractable problem as drug abuse. But Wilson Families in Action is celebrating its 25th anniversary this week after a quarter century of award-winning efforts to save children from the temptations and devastations of substance abuse. Begun in 1982 as an initiative of the Wilson Chamber of Commerce, Families in Action went to work immediately on the problem of drug abuse. Initially under the leadership of Tom Brown, Families in Action faced a most daunting task. The drug culture of the late 1960s had never been tamped down, and highly destructive crack cocaine was on the horizon. Few, if any, employers required drug tests at the time, so recreational drug users could fit easily into society with potentially catastrophic results for work safety and productivity. [continues 392 words]
They come in small amber-colored plastic bottles with labels, prescribed by a doctor. They are safe when used properly by those for whom they are prescribed. That may one reason why nearly half of teenagers believe prescription medication is safer to consume than marijuana, cocaine and other illicit drugs. Law enforcement agencies and other organizations in Wilson say this area doesn't currently have a significant problem with teenage prescription drug abuse. But if families don't take care to monitor their children, authorities warn, that could change. [continues 1270 words]
Last week's break-up of a marijuana farming operation deep in woods on the outskirts of Stantonsburg was merely interesting to most area residents, but they should have been alarmed by it. It could be a matter of life and death. Stantonsburg police and Wilson County Sheriff's Office personnel closed down the operation after it was discovered by some hunters. The marijuana was being grown and dried in a clearing inside a wooded area reachable only by pathways carved through undergrowth. [continues 323 words]
One of the saddest aspects of the illicit drug epidemic is the children who are left practically abandoned when their parents fall into the downward spiral of drug abuse. Wilson County commissioners passed a resolution Monday establishing a protocol for handling children who found in homes that have been turned into methamphetamine labs. These children are particularly forlorn cases because they are not only victims of neglect or abuse; they are also placed in daily mortal danger as chemicals are "cooked" into methamphetamines, leaving toxic byproducts that can ignite or poison anyone who comes in contact with them. Each pound of processed meth generates 6 pounds of toxic waste. [continues 291 words]
Wilson County commissioners Monday night approved a protocol to protect children and enhance the coordination of departments when a methamphetamine lab is discovered. Andrew Payne, a representative for the Wilson County Department of Social Service, told commissioners methamphetamine labs, more commonly known as meth labs, could have a devastating effect on families and the county. Glenn Osborne, director of DSS, said by presenting the protocol DSS was being proactive in preparing local agencies to work together to respond to children found in meth lab homes. [continues 346 words]
The drug culture of the 1970s, when marijuana use was common among hippies, bikers and college students, is far different today. Children are getting high at younger ages and have easier access to drugs, and parents lack up-to-date information that will help them stem the tide, state and national leaders said Wednesday during a drug abuse prevention conference in Wilson. Wilson Families in Action was co-host of a two-day statewide conference of the N.C. Parent Network this week where volunteer and professional leaders met to learn ways to increase their prevention efforts. About 50 people attended Wednesday's session. [continues 574 words]
A Letter To The Editor When I read the June 19 edition, I couldn't help but be touched by an article I read. It was an article my son wrote. I'm very proud of my son for writing that letter. It took a lot for him to put it in The Wilson Daily Times that he had a drug addiction. I was surprised when I read the paper last night because he didn't tell me he was going to put it in there. I knew he had a drug problem, but he never admitted it to me. Until I read it in the paper. [continues 233 words]
A Letter To The Editor I'd like to comment on a couple of articles that I recently read in the papers. One concerned where President Bush is asking for $4.66 billion from Congress to run the Federal Prison System for the year 2002. Shouldn't we ask ourselves why this money is needed? Well it's needed of course to keep up with the exploding prison population, but one might ask why is that happening? There are currently 154,000 inmates in the federal system, more than half are nonviolent drug offenders. This is due to the fact that we have mandatory sentencing and no parole in the federal system. These people are spending four to six years more than rapist and murderers. [continues 178 words]
As an inmate in the Federal Prison System, I try to stay up to date with current events by reading the newspapers daily. Lately what I have been reading alarms me. I hope that it concerns you as well. President Bush is asking Congress for $4.66 billion for the Federal Bureau of Prisons. William J. Bennett thinks it's time to intensify the war on drugs. Then I read where the Drug Enforcement Administration office out of San Juan, Puerto Rico, has been caught falsifying arrest reports. [continues 210 words]
