Pubdate: Thu, 16 May 2002 Source: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (NY) Copyright: 2002 Rochester Democrat and Chronicle Contact: http://www.democratandchronicle.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/614 Author: Alan Morrell DRUG SUMMIT SET IN CITY NEIGHBORHOOD Nine years ago, Karyn Herman had an eye-opening experience with the drug problem in her Locust Street neighborhood. A group of children, perhaps 7 years old or so, found a coffee can filled with bags of marijuana and turned it over to her. Moments later, a group of older children, about 13 years, approached Herman and the youngsters, looking to retrieve the marijuana. "Their job was to protect it," Herman said of the 13-year-olds, who were designated by dealers to guard their stash. "They were afraid for themselves. They said, 'Do you know what will happen to us if (the marijuana) isn't there?' " Herman, president of Sector 3 in northwest Rochester, tells this story matter-of-factly. Such things have occurred in her neighborhood and others for years. And things have not changed: Just a week ago, Herman said, her 16-year-old son witnessed a half-dressed prostitute stumbling into a suspected crack house while the boy was waiting for his morning school bus. Those are reasons why Herman helped organize a drug summit for her neighborhood, which will be held today at the Lake Avenue Baptist Church, 57 Ambrose St. An information-sharing session will run from 3 to 5 p.m.; the summit goes from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Participants will review statistical data collected by Rochester Institute of Technology professor John Klofas and discuss four topic areas: prevention, treatment, law enforcement and environment. If you think this sounds like the drug summit Police Chief Robert Duffy put together in December, you're right. But the Sector 3 summit will focus on northwest Rochester and its specific problems, Herman said, whereas Duffy's plans are citywide. Also, Sector 3's summit is run by citizens; Duffy's had experts in various fields. Duffy will talk about his citywide initiative at today's summit and discuss strategies that have worked elsewhere. The Sector 3 summit will encourage people to share their experiences. For instance, Herman said, someone who has gone through drug treatment can help others through the sometimes tedious process of getting treatment. "We're looking for new strategies and commitments from neighbors," said John Lippa, co-chairman of Sector 3's summit and vice president of the Lyell Avenue Business Association. "I don't know if this will work, but maybe some people will think twice about coming around here for drugs and prostitutes." - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens