DRUG-FREE ADULTS CAN HELP KIDS

To the Youth Station's volunteers the stories in the Oct. 3 article
"Beginning of life on the streets" were not new or surprising. Since March
of 1998 when the Youth Station opened up its doors at the Transit Center,
we have listened to youths tell us how they feel safer in the streets than
they do in their homes -- whether residing with their biological or foster
care providers.

A high number of these youths have a personal history of crime, drug and
alcohol abuse and have been in and out of treatment centers, jail and
foster care. Many are on probation and continue to be attracted to a life
of crime. A high majority of these youths have never bonded with their
family or others in our community. My biggest fear is that Anchorage is
only beginning to suffer from detached youths like Josh Wade.

We continue to believe that the youths' sense of isolation, despair,
decreased ambition and their loss of interest in a positive future will be
lessened by socially bonding to community volunteers. But bonding with
these youths must be made by drug-free community members who are not afraid
to deal with difficult situations and who are willing to take risks to make
a profound difference in the lives of street kids.

Another way of being involved is to vote no on the hemp initiative. We must
walk the talk and be drug-free to decrease the juvenile crime in our state.

- -- Maria-Elena Walsh
Founder of the Youth Station
Board member of Alaskans for Drug-Free Youth
Anchorage