NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS WORKING TO DISCOURAGE DRUGS, GANGS

To the Editor:

The level of interest in the related issues of drug abuse and gangs in
our community that has been demonstrated by recent articles, letters
to the editor, radio and online discussions is encouraging to see. We
believe this reflects genuine concern on the part of community members
who we have previously been unable to engage in addressing these
important problems.

The Cumberland Neighborhood Advisory Commission (NAC) and the
neighborhood organizations involved in the NAC partner with a broad
range of groups in Allegany County who advocate not only working from
the legal end to reduce drug abuse and its effects, but also with
groups who assist persons with substance and co-existing mental
problems and groups that teach developmental assets in youth to give
them the ability and desire to live healthy, drug and gang-free lives.
In fact, a person would be hard pressed to find a service organization
in our county that the NAC or one of our neighborhood associations has
not partnered with in some capacity or another. Our chief role is to
promote stability and improve the quality of life in the neighborhoods
of Cumberland and we realize that it takes a multi-faceted approach to
curtail the detrimental effects of drug and gang related issues.

A Jan. 9 letter to the editor written by Dave Crockett called for the
NAC's "one sided approach to end." It also promoted the position of
drug legalization. Some believe that the high incarceration rates and
organized crime will dissolve if drugs are legalized. Personally, I
believe we live in a self-gratifying society that glamorizes organized
crime. Only when this type of thinking is replaced with a healthier,
"others-first" attitude, and a realistic representation of what
actually happens to people involved with organized crime is portrayed,
will incarceration rates drop and organized crime dissipate.

That said, here are a few dates for you to remember that will really
help to foster a healthier, drug free lifestyle in our county: Friday,
April 20 will be the launch of a community-wide campaign by the
Coalition for A Drug-Free Community and the Local Management Board of
Allegany County, Inc. to encourage everyone who cares about kids in
our community to help them avoid using drugs. The day will take the
focus off of attempts to legalize drug use, and put it back on the
focus of talking to your kids about the harmful effects of drug use.
Readers can expect more information in the near future.

Saturday, April 28 will be the third annual Greater Cumberland
Anti-Drug Festival hosted by the Rolling Mill Neighborhood
Association, Inc. The location will be on Spring Street in Cumberland
from 12-5 p.m.. All service organizations, churches, and clubs are
invited to attend and set up free of charge Please call me at
(301)722-6411 or email melmichael@atlanticbb.net for more information
about this growing event.

Saturday, May 5 is Chapel Hill West Neighborhood Association's first
annual block party from 1-5 p.m.. The focus will be on enjoying life
without using tobacco, drugs and alcohol.

If you have not been involved in the work of our neighborhood
associations to make our community safe and to support our children
and youth, we encourage you to become a part of this pro-active
movement sweeping through Cumberland and across the county. If you
would like more information about developmental assets in children and
youth to make them stronger, healthier, and more confident, contact
Robin Summerfield, Systems of Care Specialist for the Local Management
Board at robin.summerfield@allconet.org or Phone him at 301-777-2008.
If you are interested in becoming a "Safe House" to help children in
your neighborhood find a safe place to get away from bullies, gangs,
and drug dealers contact Lisa Snyder safe house coordinator at
safehouseprogram@atlanticbb.net.

As always, the NAC meets every third Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in the
upstairs conference room of Cumberland City Hall. We extend an open
invitation to the public to come join us. If you would like more
information about the NAC or any of the neighborhood associations in
Cumberland, please contact Lisa Snyder, NAC VISTA, at (240)580-4575 or
me at (301)722-6411.

Melanie Michael

NAC/RMNA, Inc. President