Pubdate: Sun, 09 Jul 2006
Source: Times, The  (Munster IN)
Copyright: 2006 The Munster Times
Contact:  http://www.nwitimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/832
Author: Grace Turner
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

WE MUST WORK TOGETHER TO FIGHT THIS DRUG PROBLEM

No one can isolate Porter County or LaPorte County. There is no way 
to shut this area off. We are all connected. Therefore, Porter and 
LaPorte counties' drug problem is the problem for our entire country. 
It can continue to spread.

Yes, we are in denial. No one seems interested in the root cause. 
Who's getting rich by bringing these drugs into our country? It's not 
the little street dealers. If we stop being in denial and teach our 
children and adults in churches, schools and through various media, 
we could attack the problem.

Children in preschool are not too young to see the risk of heroin and 
other drugs. We teach them the harm fire can bring to their bodies, 
so teach them heroin can also cause death.

We must stop denial, stop the drugs from entering our country and 
show children and adults the emotional and/or physical death that 
results from drug use.

For those who need help to recover there should be many clinics 
supported by the government and also much care should be given by all 
of our churches in Northwest Indiana.

To lock up offenders is not the answer. Our churches should be able 
to deal with the offenders' personal problems that may have led them 
to drug use.

Remember, we are all connected, not isolated.

Grace Turner

Gary
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman