Pubdate: Fri, 26 Oct 2007
Source: Wilson Daily Times, The (NC)
Copyright: 2007 Wilson Daily Times
Contact:  http://www.wilsondaily.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1452

FAMILIES MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Twenty-five years is a long run for any nonprofit organization, 
especially one taking on such a seemingly intractable problem as drug 
abuse. But Wilson Families in Action is celebrating its 25th 
anniversary this week after a quarter century of award-winning 
efforts to save children from the temptations and devastations of 
substance abuse. Begun in 1982 as an initiative of the Wilson Chamber 
of Commerce, Families in Action went to work immediately on the 
problem of drug abuse. Initially under the leadership of Tom Brown, 
Families in Action faced a most daunting task. The drug culture of 
the late 1960s had never been tamped down, and highly destructive 
crack cocaine was on the horizon. Few, if any, employers required 
drug tests at the time, so recreational drug users could fit easily 
into society with potentially catastrophic results for work safety 
and productivity.

This was a time when some elements of society still glorified illicit 
drug use, when Hollywood celebrities made no attempts to hide their 
illegal recreational activities. In this environment, Families in 
Action attempted to publicize the dangers of substance abuse and the 
simple pleasures of drug-free recreation.

Begun in 1982 as an initiative of the Wilson Chamber of Commerce, 
Families in Action went to work immediately on the problem of drug 
abuse. Initially under the leadership of Tom Brown, Families in 
Action faced a most daunting task. The drug culture of the late 1960s 
had never been tamped down, and highly destructive crack cocaine was 
on the horizon. Few, if any, employers required drug tests at the 
time, so recreational drug users could fit easily into society with 
potentially catastrophic results for work safety and productivity.

This was a time when some elements of society still glorified illicit 
drug use, when Hollywood celebrities made no attempts to hide their 
illegal recreational activities. In this environment, Families in 
Action attempted to publicize the dangers of substance abuse and the 
simple pleasures of drug-free recreation.

Families in Action grew, hired staff and created a series of 
now-familiar events aimed at preventing drug experimentation among 
young people: America's PRIDE, Sports Drug Awareness Week, Red Ribbon 
Week, Simple Pleasures, Prom Promise, Project Graduation and others. 
In 2004, the group created the Parent Resource Center to support 
parents and others who are spreading the message of abstinence from 
mind-altering substances.

The latest creation of Families in Action is the Wilson County 
Substance Abuse Coalition, which organized this year with assistance 
from parents, schools, law enforcement and others.

 From its beginning as a Chamber initiative, Families in Action has 
been a grassroots organization, depending upon the committed efforts 
of individuals who are concerned about the community and its 
children. Wilson County Schools, Wilson police and county deputies 
have all played supportive roles in Families in Action's efforts.

While Families in Action celebrates its 25 years of existence, no one 
supposes that this organization or any other has succeeded in ridding 
Wilson society of the dangers of substance abuse. Illegal or misused 
drugs remain a primary problem among youth and adults; no one denies 
that reality.

But without Families in Action, how much worse might the problem be?
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