EVERYONE MUST HELP IN FIGHT TO RID HUNTINGTON OF DRUGS

Like most people, I never thought of Huntington as having a serious
drug problem. Gradually, my awareness began to change. The shootings
of the four teenagers on prom night (four blocks away from where I
grew up) and the drive-by shootings on Fairfax Drive and 12th Avenue
(streets where friends and family live) were alarming to me. I
remember thinking that "someone" should do "something."

Soon thereafter, I found myself newly employed as a project director
for a substance abuse prevention planning grant. I became immersed in
all things related to substance abuse issues in Cabell County and
surrounded by people who care passionately about these issues that
plague our community, state and nation.

What I have learned in the last seven months is alarming to me as a
mother, a Huntington native and a Cabell County resident, and
frankly, it should be alarming to everyone living here. Even though
nationwide drug use is down from its highest rates and Cabell County
is at or below national rates for many statistics.

Consumption rates in Cabell County for cocaine and non-medical use of
prescription drugs exceed state and national averages -- 22.8 percent
of our children report using illicit drugs, and 37.6 percent of our
children report that their parents never or seldom talk to them about drugs.

The drug-related arrest and mortality rates in Cabell County far
exceed the state rates. When comparing the data regarding substance
abuse for all 55 counties in West Virginia, Cabell is ranked fourth
in need of prevention efforts. Not surprisingly, the results of a
Community Readiness Assessment conducted this summer indicated that
Cabell rated a 2 on a nine-point scale, meaning that the residents in
our county are in a state of denial or resistance when it comes to
substance abuse prevention.

No wonder out-of-town drug dealers come to Huntington. Our community
provides a steady supply of customers. Relying on law enforcement and
treatment facilities to address this problem is not enough.

The 2006 Cabell Drug Summit on Nov. 30 at the Big Sandy Superstore
Arena is an opportunity for this community to focus on solutions to
the drug problem. Substance abuse is a complex and far reaching
community problem. Our community needs to come together -- our
children, our parents, our schools, our faith communities, our
neighborhoods, our elected officials, our health care providers, our
social service workers, our businesses, our media, our treatment
providers and our criminal justice system.

Everyone is part of the solution. We are all the "someone" who needs
to do "something." Invitations are being sent to representatives of
all sectors of our community. Invitees are encouraged to let us know
if we can plan on their attendance.

If you would like to be part of the solution, please contact the
Cabell County Substance Abuse Prevention Partnership at (304)
523-8929 ext. 17 or ccsapp@unitedwayrivercities.org.