Pubdate: Thu, 16 Mar 2006
Source: Saugus Advertiser (Saugus, MA)
Copyright: 2006 CommunitysNewspapers Inc.
Contact:  http://www2.townonline.com/saugus/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3559
Author: Mike Gaffney

STEERING YOUTH AWAY FROM DRUGS

Continuing its mission to combat youth drug and alcohol addiction, 
the Saugus Clergy Association held a spiritually uplifting drug 
awareness forum this week at Belmonte Middle School.

More than 300 people packed into the school auditorium to hear a 
panel of clergymen and women talk about what's being done locally in 
response to a youth drug abuse problem some believe is getting out of control.

Nine churches make up the Saugus Clergy Association, the group that 
brought together officials and members of Saugus Speaks Out in 
January to discuss the degree of drug and alcohol abuse in town. 
Monday's gathering at Belmonte was designed to take the information 
shared at the first drug awareness forum and begin brainstorming a 
plan to stamp out drug and alcohol abuse by youths.

The Rev. David Affleck, of St. John's Episcopal Church, led off the 
forum by presenting highlights from surveys handed out in January. 
One figure that jumps out is a whopping 96 percent of the 78 people 
who returned surveys believe that substance abuse is a serious 
problem in Saugus.

Individuals surveyed were also asked to come up with strategies that 
could decrease the amount of substance abuse. Some of the ideas 
included beefing up community services and after-school programs 
offered to youths, a publicity blitz to raise awareness of the drug 
problems and an emphasis on family values and parental responsibility.

Laura Hillier, of the Northeast Center for Healthy Communities, 
piggybacked off the survey responses by discussing things that put 
youths at risk of becoming addicted. Hillier noted kids today face 
numerous risk factors, ranging from easy access to illegal substances 
to a family history of drug and alcohol abuse.

The key to success, Hillier said, is cutting down on the risk factors 
and increasing protective factors, such as youth involvement in church groups.

Pastor Rick LeClair of Grace Ministries followed Hillier with a 
spirited speech in which he equated drug abuse to the devil seeking 
to devour children.

LeClair confessed the Saugus clergy probably hasn't done the best job 
it could to steer youths away from the darkness of drug and alcohol 
abuse. He encouraged his fellow clergy members to stamp out this 
darkness through the light of Christ.

"I can picture the devil now, rubbing his claws together and thinking 
he's got the town of Saugus," LeClair said. "My solution is to mount 
an offensive and put that devil to shame."

The next speaker, Senior Pastor Wayne Shirk, of the New Hope 
Assembly, touched on how local churches are joining together to 
provide youths alternatives other than turning to alcohol or drugs. 
Along those lines Shirk mentioned how the Saugus Clergy Association 
has organized a Christian Youth Coalition. The idea behind the 
coalition is to have kids from different churches interact and 
participate in fun, faith-based activities.

"There is hope for this town, and it's through the joining of hands," 
Shirk said.

Continuing the theme of cooperation, two members of Saugus Outreach 
invited residents to volunteer at their fledgling support group.

Saugus Outreach is intended to be a place where people can overcome 
addiction to drugs and alcohol with hope through the grace of God, 
members said.

Though Saugus Outreach is still in its formative stages, member Nate 
Marsella said the goal is to have the support group up and running by 
late April. Meetings will be held Thursdays at the Youth and Recreation Center.

Open Forum

At the end of the forum the crowd was encouraged to ask questions or 
comment on the issues discussed. Organizers planned for a 20-minute 
session, but it lasted well over an hour as a steady stream of people 
lined up at the microphone for the chance to speak.

Saugus native Chris Logue pleaded with the parents and clergy 
gathered in the auditorium to drive home the point to youths about 
the dangers of drugs and alcohol before it's too late.

Logue knows the devastating impact drugs can have on a person from 
experience - he dropped out of school in seventh grade when he was 
already caught up in the vicious cycle of substance abuse.

"You've got to start programs for kids when they're very young," 
Logue said. "No one could get through to me when I was in seventh 
grade because by that time I was already lost."

Another speaker, Don Stacey of Beverly, reminded the Saugonians they 
aren't alone in this fight against substance abuse by youths.

Stacey said drugs have become cheaper, purer and are more readily 
available than ever all across the North Shore. He argued the most 
important step is to examine why drugs are so easily obtainable and 
then take action to get them off the streets.

LeClair agreed enforcement is crucial and urged residents to support 
the Police Department in its effort to stop the inflow of drugs into town.

Through teamwork and bolstering police resources, LeClair expressed 
hope that one day the nation will look at Saugus and marvel at how 
the town drastically cut down on the amount of drug and alcohol abuse.

"When drug dealers come through Saugus they should be afraid," 
LeClair said. "They should know they'll be arrested and prosecuted 
and that it isn't worth their while to sell drugs in our town."

Before the crowd went home, New Hope Assembly Associate Pastor Jack 
Moore asked everyone ages 12-25 to stand up.

"You need to know you are loved, you are cared for, and you are not 
left alone," Moore cried out to the several dozen youths still in the 
auditorium. "There is a hope, a hope for tomorrow and a hope for the future."

Moore then led the crowd in a rendition of "Amazing Grace." Up on 
stage members of the Clergy Association locked arms as they belted 
out the familiar verses.

Donna McNeil showed up at the drug awareness forum to let the 
community know about the Families Anonymous program offered at 
Cliftondale Congregational Church on Monday nights. She was clearly 
moved by the experience.

"I'm absolutely thrilled," McNeil said. "God is truly working a 
miracle in this room tonight."
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman