Pubdate: 22 Nov 1998 
Source: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram (TX)
Section: Publisher's Desk column
Contact:  
Website: http://www.star-telegram.com/ 
Copyright: 1998 Star-Telegram, Fort Worth, Texas
Author: Bob Hamilton   

HEROIN PROBLEM OFFERS NO EASY ANSWER TO PARENTS

The recent death of Kristen Taylor absolutely left me stunned. As I sat in
my living room at home that quiet Monday night, the newscast of Taylor's
relapse and eventual demise rocked my heart.

I didn't know Taylor personally, but I felt close to her through the
coverage the Star-Telegram had given her and her family over the past year.
It didn't matter that I had never shook her hand and told her how impressed
I was of her courageous stand against heroin -- but I wish I would have.
Somehow I could feel the agony of the situation.

Still, I couldn't believe what I was hearing over the TV set. The story in
the Star-Telegram reminded us all of Taylor's battle. Yet, I was one of
many that still sat shell-shocked over this tragic ending to such a
beautiful young spirit.

Taylor's death, the fourth in the last month in Northeast Tarrant County
that may be traced to heroin pending test results. Where are these personal
demons coming from that are so intense that they kill our youth? Is there a
call we're missing or a sign we've let slip by us as parents and friends?

Kristen was attempting to break from heroin for the sixth time during the
past three years. No one, except those really close to her, know what
challenges she faced every day. She was tormented by those demons one last
time to reacquaint herself with this drug that, according to Northeast
Tarrant County Drug Force Commander Larry Romines, is stealing the lives of
too many of our youth.

The recent increase of local deaths, including Taylor's, "led us to believe
that we needed to try to do more," Romines said.

In Grapevine, three teens were arrested by Romines and his team for
possession of heroin. But it's not enough.

So what is enough?

A call from friend Tanya Copple on the day Taylor's death was making news
left me even hurting more. And it also left me angry. You see, Tanya Copple
and her husband, Bob, fight the battle with their son Austin every single
hour of the day. They're scared. They're hurting. And they're angry.

"Why isn't more being done to alert our cities that we have this problem?"
Tanya Copple said. "And why do the local cities of Grapevine, Southiake and
Colleyville seem to go into denial when we talk about these drugs in our
neighborhoods and schools?"

I was at a lost for an answer. After a full week of thinking about it, I'm
not sure I'm any closer to having even the right starting point to a clear
solution. Except one: education.

Sounds simple. Educate our youth and they will make the right decisions,
right? But the blueprint for success is still somewhat uncertain, according
to County Commissioner Glen Whitley.

The state rejected a Tarrant County grant proposal to fund an area
rehabilitation center this past year, and many believe that without some
type of govemment-funded treatment, the reality will be what we currently
have -- not much.

"We've got to do something," Whitley said in a recent Star-Telegram
article. "I'm hoping we can come up with a plan and take it to the community.

"We want to do something, but we're all at a little bit of a loss. I hope
we can put together a model-type program."

But educating our youth is still the No. 1 deterrent to helping them make
right decisions. It's not 100 percent effective, but it appears to be the
right path to me.

Since Taylor's death I have noticed an onslaught of forums, seminars and
meetings in our neighborhoods and schools for the sole purpose of educating
us about the problem.

And most of these programs were well under way or planned prior to the
recent deaths and arrests.

Of course, the Taylor or Copple families will add that not even educating
their kids might not have made a difference. And you certainly can't say
they didn't have an outpouring of love and support for their kids as they
grew up. So what's missing?

I believe many youth today think that we're missing the boat in what really
is effective. Some feel that to make a statement we all have to make
programs that are more relevant. In other words, don't candy coat the problem.

I was sharing some ideas with friends on the way to Austin the other day
and asked them to remember those movies we had toremember those movies we
had to watch in high sch

Do you remember the highway patrol films that showed accident scenes where
everyone was dead? Real gory stuff. But the vision is still clear in my
head, as well as the message. If you choose to drink and drive, you choose
wrong!

Well, that's the type of education I'm talking about. Sometimes a real dose
of reality can awaken those demons inside to leave town.

Austin Copple knows what I'm talking about. Following Kristen's death,
Copple wiped away tears and was quoted in the Star-Telegram as saying, "I'm
not going to be the next one."

You see, Copple and Taylor were friends. They were both battling those
demons and winning. Unfortunately, Taylor fell short in her personal war.
Now it's Austin's turn to live up to his statement and stay clean.

Again, what are we missing? Or better yet, what can we do differently? The
fight is on. And it's up to each and everyone of us to remember those who
have fallen in this battle. And carry the flag if another falls.

There's a long flght ahead but we have the resources to accomplish the
ultimate victory. Do your share and get involved in the battle. Be active
with your local agencies and officials. It will take your commitment to the
cause -- not your dollars, but your true pledge to be part of the change.
- ---
Checked-by: Richard Lake