DECREASING DRUG USE IS TOP PRIORITY

Your article on Jan 26, "Drugs down but crime up," was of great
interest. The 19 percent decrease in drug related arrests in Pitt
County Schools is consistent with the national trends regarding drug use.

A survey of more than 50,000 students in 8th, 10th and 12th grades in
about 400 schools from across the country revealed a decrease in
annual drug use of about 10 percent between 2005 and 2006.

Decreasing underage use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco is the priority
of the Pitt County Coalition on Substance Abuse. In 2005, our survey
of 4,000 high school students in Pitt County revealed that 21 percent
were currently smoking, 35 percent currently drinking and 22 percent
currently using marijuana. The Coalition on Substance Abuse is
comprised of some 40 agencies and individuals all working together to
prevent underage substance use primarily through the promotion of
educational programs for youth, parents and the community at large.

In conjunction with the Pitt County Schools, there will be a repeat
survey of students in middle and high school this spring. Hopefully
we will also see a substantial drop in rates of substance use when
compared with 2005.

David Ames

Greenville