Project's goal: to defeat kids'drug use, crime

Athletes Against Crime and Drugs will provide children with athletic training and activities, as well as mentoring.

By JAMIE MALERNEE

© St. Petersburg Times,
published June 18, 2001

BROOKSVILLE -- In hopes of steering children away from drugs and crime, city officials are starting an athletic program that combines the fun of sports with a focus on education.

About 100 at-risk kids will be eligible for the free program, Athletes Against Crime and Drugs, which is slated to begin in July at the Jerome Brown Community Center.

Emilia Raia, program activities director for the city, said children ages 8 to 17 will be taught the fundamentals of several sports while being mentored on issues such as drug and alcohol abuse, crime, anger management and problem solving.

"These types of programs are very successful," Raia said. "They take kids that are having problems and steer them toward something positive. They are doing something they love. And they are learning."

The program comes several months after a state study found that Hernando County teens use alcohol, drugs and tobacco at a rate higher than the state average. According to the study, one-tenth of Hernando middle school students went to school drunk or high during the past school year, and one-third of high school students have tried an illicit drug other than marijuana.

The good news is that, locally and on the state level, juvenile crime is down. During the past five years, murder by juveniles decreased by 42 percent in Florida, attempted-murder cases were cut in half, armed robberies declined 24 percent, auto thefts were down 32 percent and burglaries were down 13 percent, according to the state Department of Juvenile Justice. The number of juvenile cases in Hernando County dropped to 830 in 2000, compared with a high of 1,053 in 1991.

Official want Athletes Against Crime and Drugs to help continue that trend. Basketball will be the primary focus of the program, although Raia said participants also will play volleyball and softball. Both boys and girls are welcome. Raia still is looking for a director to lead the project.

During the summer, the program will operate every day but Sunday. Once school starts, it will run from 2:30 to 9 p.m. weekdays and most of the day on Saturdays. There will be different classes for children, depending on their athletic level. Raia also is working to be able to provide transportation to and from the center.

The Harbor Behavioral Health Care Institute and the Brooksville Police Department are partners in Athletes Against Crime and Drugs, which is being financed with a $30,000 grant from the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.

Police Chief Ed Tincher said the program is an investment that will improve the lives of both the children it serves and the community as a whole.

"I believe children are a product of their environment. And if the environment is ignoring them, or they only see one way of doing business, they go that way," Tincher said. "But we're going to show them by example and mentoring that there are other options."

To participate, children must first qualify. If a child has had behavioral difficulties in the past, signs of substance abuse, or troubles in school or at home, they are most likely eligible, Raia said.

To participate

Anyone interested in referring a child to the Athletes Against Crime and Drugs program, or donating money to help operate the Jerome Brown Community Center may call Emilia Raia at 544-5498.

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