COMMUNITY MUST KEEP FOCUS ON DRUG PROBLEM

The latest report on drug abuse among Quad-City youth isn't encouraging.
However, it serves as a reminder that laws are not enough to fix the
problem. The community must demand a lot from its citizens to really make a
difference. And, frankly, the community isn't doing enough.

Last week, the Quad-City Metropolitan Enforcement Group, or MEG, issued its
annual report for the year 2000. In the Quad-Cities:

- - There was a major increase in the use of Ecstasy, also known as MDMA.
It's cheap and extremely dangerous, with side effects including strokes,
heart attacks and reduction of intelligence.

- - There was a decrease in the use of methamphetamines but an increase in
cocaine use.

- - Alcohol and marijuana still are the most abused substances.

- - Drug abuse among all youth doesn't appear to be increasing overall, but
there are more children using at an earlier age — junior high school or
younger.

The latter finding is the most alarming and deserves the entire community's
attention.

There certainly are many local efforts already in place to prevent and
treat drug abuse by juveniles.

The Center for Alcohol and Drug Services, or CADS, has an adolescent day
treatment facility in Bettendorf. The Robert Young community Mental Health
Center in Rock Island also serves young abusers. Proactive efforts by
education officials have reduced the availability of drugs at schools. Drug
enforcement agencies continue to be vigilant. And MEG officials and other
groups provide educational opportunities.

However, some professionals who work with young offenders say more
resources must be committed if there's to be a quantum leap in effective
prevention and treatment. They cite the lack of a residential treatment
center where the more severely addicted patients can be treated more
intensively. The nearest such facility is in Cedar Rapids.

There's also been rising criticism of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education
(DARE) program conducted by police for mostly fifth- and sixth-grade
students. Some national studies of DARE indicate it has no lasting
deterrence of substance abuse and should be updated or replaced.

These are all things that Quad-City communities must weigh in finding ways
to reduce drug abuse by juveniles and doing whatever possible to help those
already addicted. Character-based leadership, strong parental and
professional involvement in programs and commitment to identifying the best
strategies and treatment methods remain part of the mix.

Meanwhile, parents and guardians can take immediate action. Research
indicates that they play the largest role in keeping young people from
using alcohol, tobacco or illicit drugs. Parents model substance abstinence
or abuse and express attitudes about drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. They can
control their children's exposure to drugs by monitoring their activities,
behavior and friendships. They can nurture an ongoing dialogue with their
children by learning all they can about the warning signs of drug abuse —
those parents attending a Pleasant Valley High School seminar on Monday
night, for example, took a step in the right direction.

The Quad-Cities can do more to reduce drug abuse among youth. Children
deserve our best effort.