Pubdate: Thu, 06 Aug 2009 Source: El Paso Times (TX) Copyright: 2009 El Paso Times Contact: http://www.elpasotimes.com/formnewsroom Website: http://www.elpasotimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/829 BORDER CONFERENCE: CONCLUSIONS FAMILIAR; ACTION NEEDED Anything sound familiar here? Earlier this week, Texas-New Mexico border experts came to the conclusion that border-area residents are more susceptible to dangers of the illicit drug trade because of such factors as poverty, little access to drug-treatment centers, lack of education and being close to drug stashes. The symposium was held at the State Department of Health Services and was hosted by the Drug Demand Reduction Advisory Committee. With all due respect to symposium participants and their very real concerns, these are the kinds of things we've been hearing for years. It seems that every time there's a meeting, the same or similar conclusions are reached. And the same or similar recommendations are made -- establish more drug-treatment centers, employ young people so they won't get into trouble, educate people about drugs, teach people how to recognize stash houses. The conclusions are not wrong. The recommendations are reasonable. But conclusions and recommendations are a long way from doing something concrete to address drug-related risks along the border. One big problem, especially now, is how to fund initiatives to help steer young people away from drugs and drug-related violence. For example, it seems that if money can be found to pork up our federal lawmakers' resumes -- and that never seems to be a problem -- money could be found to address border drug issues. And that's just one possible source. If the state thinks the drug problem is serious along the border, well, perhaps state officials could cut loose with a few bucks to do something substantive, to flesh out valuable recommendations rather than leave them gathering dust on the shelves. It's also a question of how much we value our young people. Can we put a price on keeping our youths away from drugs and violence? If we really believe that our young people are the future of Texas, we should do all in our power to protect them. Conferences are fine, but the conclusions must be acted upon by local, state and federal officials. Most everyone along the border is affected, but as attendees at this week's meeting pointed out, young people are especially vulnerable. Bringing recommendations to reality would be useful in protecting - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom