Youth Learn Skills Needed to Avoid Drugs, Gangs and Violence Purcell, Ok -- Youth attending Purcell Schools will be seeing a new face this year when it comes to DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education). Purcell Police Officer Scott Stephens will be the new part-time DARE instructor. He comes into the job after longtime DARE instructor Phil Hightower retired in the spring. DARE is an opportunity to give youth the skills needed to avoid involvement in drugs, gangs and violence. A police officer or deputy sheriff leads the series of classroom lessons that teach children and youth from kindergarten through 12th grade. These lessons teach how to resist peer pressure and live productive drug- and violence-free lives. [continues 327 words]
ULSTER children as young as 10 are involved in regular binge drinking, while young teenagers are frequent heavy drinkers, a major new study is expected to show. While results of the Health Promotion Agency survey of 10 to 16 year-olds will not be available until later this year, a leading expert today said concern was growing about alcohol abuse by young people. And a police spokesman described drinking by children and young teenagers as "a major social problem". Experts today issued a health warning to underage drinkers ahead of the publication of research which is expected to show a tendency towards binge drinking by a substantial number of young people. [continues 376 words]
A LONDONDERRY estate is to be given a massive cash boost to aid its fight against drugs, it emerged today. It is understood as much as UKP100,000 will be earmarked for Currynierin as the District Partnership bids to help tackle problems in marginalised areas. For several years, residents of the area have complained they are suffering from an influx of drug dealers asked to leave other areas of the city. It is also believed the neighbouring Tullyally estate, where community leaders hope to build a UKP750,000 multi-purpose centre, could share in a windfall from the District Partnership. [continues 184 words]
A five-month Post-Dispatch investigation published Sept. 27 found more than 20 cases nationwide in which prison and jail inmates died as a result of alleged negligence, indifference, understaffing, inadequate training or cost-cutting by private health care companies. Many of the cases involved St. Louis-based Correctional Medical Services Inc., the industry leader. Some experts said the cases represented the tip of the iceberg in a system of privatized health care behind bars that often neglects the medical profession's creed to keep "free from all intentional wrongdoing and harm." CMS, other companies and some public officials denied the critics' claim. [continues 239 words]
COCAINE is set to flood the North West, a drug dealer in Londonderry warned today. The man, who contacted the Belfast Telegraph, claimed large quantities of the hard drug would shortly hit the streets. The caller, who was able to substantiate his claim that he was a dealer, said he had developed psychological problems as a result of abusing illicit substances. And he warned that the worst was yet to come. "You could get it alright if you knew where to go, but it's not common," he said. "However, it's coming into Derry and it's going to be big, very big." Earlier this week, the RUC said there had only been one seizure of cocaine in the North West this year and the Drugs Squad believe only small amounts of the substance are being sold. [continues 144 words]
