PARENTS LEARN ABOUT LOCAL DRUG USE

Students may be exposed to alcohol and drug products at a younger age, but
many parents are trying to stay a step ahead.

The Quad-City Drug Task Force presented a session for more than 100 parents
Monday night at Pleasant Valley High School in Bettendorf. There was a
question-and-answer session, and information offered on the dangers and
frequency of drug use among teenagers in the community.

Dan Roach, Director of the Metropolitan Enforcement Group (MEG), presented
a lecture and slide show. The event was the result of joint planning from
students, parents and teachers at Pleasant Valley High School.

"About two years ago, we formed a community-based committee with the help
of parents, schools and area law enforcement," said Gail Jackson, a parent
organizer. "This is the first meeting of this type."

In addition to parental support, students in the community are getting
involved as well. As a part of the Drug Free Youth In Touch program (DFYIT)
high school students are taking the responsibility to remain drug-free.

According to Jackson, "the students make a pledge to be drug-free and are
rewarded for their efforts."

Drugs Not The Same

Roach urged parents to educate themselves about the dangers of drugs.

"The biggest myth today is that parents think that the drugs that were
around in the 70's are the same drugs around today. That's not true. The
drugs of today are more powerful, more addictive. It's a different ballgame
today," Roach said.

A 14-year veteran narcotics agent of Illinois, Roach speaks at various
events in the Quad-Cities educating the community on the dangers and
repercussions of drug use. Since its beginning in 1974, the Metropolitan
Enforcement Group (MEG), a bi-state multi-jurisdiction task force, has
worked with the Drug Enforcement Agency to combat the war on drugs through
education.

Roach said while drug use in the Quad-Cities is not at an epidemic level,
it is serious enough that parents need to know what is going on in their
community.

"Drugs are around regardless of where you are," says Roach. "Right now, the
most popular drugs in the Quad-City area are marijuana, crack/cocaine and
alcohol."

Roach informed parents about the new drugs that teenagers are experimenting
with such as Ecstasy, frequently referred to as a "club drug," and
methamphetamine, which he said is one the most powerful and destructive
drugs accessible to teenagers today.

Great Idea

"I think that this is a wonderful thing to have for parents. We moved to
Bettendorf thinking that we were escaping the problems of the inner-city,
but I now know that it doesn't matter where you live, we as parents have to
be involved so that we can protect our children," said Margaret Neason, a
parent of two teenagers.

"Talk to your kids and be aware of their behaviors and habits," Roach said.
"That is how you help them."