DRUGS AND BOOZE

Bev Hopkins of Indianapolis says she’s just a citizen who wants to help the
city and neighborhoods solve problems such as the proliferation of illegal
drugs.

So last week, she went to a Southside news conference where Mayor Stephen
Goldsmith and Police Chief Michael Zunk announced an infusion of $1.2
million to fight neighborhood problems such as crack houses and open-air
drug markets.

"There was no one from the community," Hopkins says. She was the only
private citizen there until right before the news conference, when someone
was brought over from a nearby Northeastside community organization office.

"I think something’s strange in this whole setup," Hopkins says. "The
community just doesn’t seem to be involved." Hopkins also says she’s
concerned because the administration sends out "mixed messages."

What are young people supposed to think about anti-drug programs, she
wonders, when the city sells alcoholic beverages at city-owned stadiums and
golf courses amid talk of selling beer in public parks?