Pubdate: Thu, 29 Mar 2007
Source: Cumberland Times-News (MD)
Copyright: 2007 Cumberland Times-News
Contact:  http://www.times-news.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1365
Author: Jennifer Raley

PURPLE PEOPLE TO SPREAD ANTI-DRUG MESSAGE

Rally Set in County April 20

CUMBERLAND - On the morning of April 20, pairs of people wearing 
purple T-shirts and holding purple posters will be positioned 
strategically on street corners and school grounds throughout the county.

The purple people's purpose is to promote an anti-drug environment 
and to encourage parents to talk to their children about the dangers 
of drug use.

"It's a wonderful way for the community to join together and sit down 
with their children, no matter how young or old, and talk to them 
about drug use - it's also time for people who are pregnant to think 
about what they are putting into their bodies," said Allegany County 
Board of Education member Jane Dawson.

The "Today is the Day" event will be held from 7 to 9 a.m. to capture 
the attention of children going to school and parents going to work, 
according to Becky McClarran of McClarran & Williams Inc.

"We provide drug prevention education in schools with programs like 
DARE; however, no matter how we try to make them understand how 
detrimental drugs are, the people that have the most influence are 
their parents," said Lorelee Farrell, assistant supervisor of health 
and family life at the Allegany County Board of Education.

"We want to increase awareness - we know there's a drug problem in 
the community - we read about drug busts in the paper, and we want to 
make sure our children are drug-free," said McClarran, who is 
involved with organizing the event.

The Local Management Board and the Coalition for a Drug Free 
Community obtained grants to make the event possible.

"Today is the Day will give people from across Allegany County a 
chance to speak out with one voice about the growing problem of drug 
abuse in our community," said Robin Summerfield, systems of care 
specialist for the Local Management Board. "The voice will encourage 
parents, friends and others to begin talking about the dangers of 
drug abuse, especially to young people and pregnant women, and how to 
find help."

Last year in Allegany County, more than 40 babies were born addicted 
to crack, said McClarran.

"The 4/20 initiative is the result of ordinary people doing an 
extraordinary job to increase public awareness as it relates to 
substance abuse in Allegany County," said Lt. Jim Pyles, commander of 
the Maryland State Police Cumberland barrack and member of the 
advisory board of the C3I narcotics and criminal units.

April 20 was chosen as the date for a specific reason, said McClarran.

"According to the myth, this started at some high school in 
California - teachers left class at 4:15, so 4:20 became the time to 
light up a joint," said McClarran, "4/20 has become a kind of holiday 
for people who want to legalize marijuana."

A Web site that contains signs of drug use and treatment resources is 
in the process of being developed, according to McClarran.

"I'm very excited about this - we do have an issue that we need to 
address," said McClarran.

To participate, contact the Local Management Board at (301) 777-2008.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine