Pubdate: Sun, 25 Apr 2004 Source: Sun Herald (MS) Copyright: 2004, The Sun Herald Contact: http://www.sunherald.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/432 Author: Lacy McCracken THE DRUG PARASITES ARE DEVOURING OUR CHILDREN I have just come from court in my fair city. The case was an adult charged with giving children drugs. As it often happens, the accused got off simply because the children would not talk. As the parent of a child who is hooked on drugs it is very frustrating to see another parasite get off. I have been fighting this war on drugs in my city for four years and I am no closer to getting anything done than when I started. The police cannot seem to get the parasites who are sucking our children dry. Why, you ask? Because our system protects these animals and the court system does not have enough power behind it to be able to do any damage. People, we are losing our children! We, as parents, have to stop looking the other way and we need to start speaking out. We need to start doing something instead of saying to ourselves, "They are just children, they will outgrow it. It's just a phase." Well, I am here to say it is not just a phase! In my town a terrifying number of children are hooked on drugs. These children should be enjoying being kids, not shooting up or smoking marijuana or dropping pills or drinking. We can no longer sit back. We must be as dedicated to stopping these animals from preying on our children as these animals are dedicated to making money by addicting our vulnerable children. We have to take action. Quit talking about it and let's do something about it. Let's pass laws that will protect our children and not the animals who prey on them. Let's demand drug tests for all students and get them help instead of expelling them from school if they test positive. These are children who cannot make wise decisions on their own. Please, please, can no one help us? Our children are crying for us and we are turning our backs on them and letting the wolves attack. Lacy McCracken Long Beach - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin