Pubdate: Fri, 10 Oct 2003
Source: Sun Herald (MS)
Copyright: 2003, The Sun Herald
Contact:  http://www.sunherald.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/432
Author: Tracy Dash

DRUG TASK FORCE SEEKS CONSULTANT

LONG BEACH - The Long Beach Substance Abuse Task Force is considering 
hiring a drug consultant to train police and parents on drug-related issues 
and talk to students about the dangers of drugs.

Task Force member Pat Pope, head of the narcotics division at the Gulfport 
Police Department, proposed to the nearly 20 members of the group who 
attended Thursday night's meeting that they hire a former Los Angeles 
Police Department narcotics agent.

Pope said he has discussed the idea with Harrison County Sheriff George 
Payne, who said he may be able to pay the consultant's fees and travel 
costs to South Mississippi. Pope said it would cost about $3,500 to hire 
Trinka D. Porrata, who specializes in topics of raves, prescription drug 
abuse and drug trends.

"We've got to raise the parent involvement," Pope said. "The government 
cannot raise your children. The parents have to do it."

Parental involvement, task force members said, is essential to eradicating 
drug use among youths.

Task force chairman Fred Walker said he plans to ask churches and business 
to put anti-drug messages on their marquees to raise awareness, especially 
during the upcoming Red Ribbon Week.

The task force, which meets about every six weeks, plans to mail 
informational letters to parents of students in kindergarten through 12th 
grade. The letter references the drug problem in Long Beach and asks 
parents to "Wake up" and get involved in their children's lives.

"Kids don't need friends," said Kathleen Hodges, a school worker for the 
school district. "They have friends. They need parents."

Task force members agreed that drug education must start with young children.

"I think our focus should be on stopping those (children) who haven't 
started," Pope said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom