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We must stop hiding from drug problem

As I work with troubled youth, it becomes evident that there is a scourge on our community. The pain and suffering are tearing us apart. Drugs are a plight on our society that appear to have no happy ending. The temptation to use alcohol and drugs is high in our communities, especially among our youth. How do we fix this problem? Ask any politician, police officer, counselor, teacher or parent and you will get a variety of answers.

The government continues to build more prisons, jails and juvenile detention centers. Billions of dollars are spent to house and punish the drug abuser, but little is mentioned about preventive programs.

I recently asked a teacher and a School Board member about their plan to effectively educate youth about the dangers of drug abuse. Should I have been surprised to hear that there is no proactive program in place that effectively addresses this plight? I was not! They spoke of what we should do, but neither gave a solid answer. What a shame.

When I ask youth where they learned about the dangers of drugs, not one said school or family. Everything they knew about drugs they learned on the streets. Don't get me wrong. I am not blaming the schools for this problem. Where is the family in all this mess? As I work with drug-addicted youth, I learned that many of the parents are alcoholics and drug abusers too. Some even used drugs with their parents! The so-called war on drugs is being won, not by the government but by the drug culture.

Many choose to use drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism for the stresses of home, school and life. The concept that "everybody is doing it" is an old excuse for using these harmful substances to elevate mood. However, what are we doing to change this flawed perception? Sadly, not much.

The family and community bonds that made this country great have deteriorated, and we are on a collision course with disaster. Having strong bonds can help youth resist these activities. Surrounding oneself with good companions can help you avoid bad influences. Another way to make good decisions is to not give in to peer pressure. Strong bonds are helpful in developing a strong sense of character and self-esteem. Staying active and having hobbies may help avoid poor choices too.

This all sounds great, but I can honestly say that this is not the reality today. Unless we stop ignoring the problem, arguing about the problem, or blaming others for the problem, we are going to implode as a society. Many leaders of the community ignore the problem until it hits home, and then it becomes an issue.

Our city, state and federal authorities need to stop addressing this problem as a "law enforcement only" issue. We must develop a proactive approach and join forces with community-sponsored programs such as Mothers Against Meth-Amphetamine, or MAMA, which is a community initiative that attacks this problem at the source. MAMA educates the public about methamphetamine and other drugs. And, dare I say that the government should also join forces with faith- and community-based treatment initiatives. In communities where the government provided money and resources to these types of programs, the success rate far exceeds anything the bureaucratically laden government-run programs can statistically produce.

Let's stop hiding from the problem. This is not a white, black, Hispanic or other ethnic problem. It's our problem. Support your local police, faith, community or other initiatives. Be part of the solution, not the problem. If you think you are immune to this problem or that you are not affected by it, then you are the problem.

Luis M. Lopez, council member, Zephyrhills

Raze Main Street Landing, find deep-pocketed builder

I understand that the New Port Richey Council wants a raise. Do I agree? No.

They need to stop spending money on foolish, uncalled-for things, like a railroad square. Please, this will not bring in tourists. New Port Richey is a lovely old river town, nothing more or less.

About the $15,000 and developer Ken McGurn: If he were a hotshot developer, he would have made sure his finances looked ahead to higher costs. He, Peter Altman and Main Street Landing should just fade away. The city should order Main Street Landing torn down, or fine them until it is torn down. Then plant lovely bushes and flowers to make it look nice and find a truly upscale developer to build there - a developer-contractor who has enough money to do so.

If our mayor and council get weak and help McGurn, they should be run out of town.

Ann Bully, New Port Richey

Nazi displays at Port Richey gun show were appalling

I went to a gun show Sunday at the Knights of Columbus in Port Richey. I was met at the door by a lady wearing a Charlie Crist T-shirt who had a table full of Crist propaganda. She took my $6 entrance fee.

The first table past her was being run by a man with swastikas and a Nazi flag on the wall. I continued walking through the show, and on the back wall was a large display of Nazi flags and pictures of Hitler.

I was appalled, and on the way out I asked one of the Knights of Columbus people if they supported the Nazis. I was told they were a significant part of our military history.

I wonder if you set up a Taliban display with pictures of Osama bin Laden and flags of Iraq if that would be an acceptable display of our military history. As an American, I was appalled.

John Henry, New Port Richey

[Last modified September 26, 2006, 22:39:15]