GROUPS WANT INPUT ON RISKS FACING YOUTHS

Groups that are working to keep kids from abusing drugs and alcohol
want to know what Portland residents and workers feel are the
biggest threats to the city's youths.

They also want to know what's working to keep kids safe and substance free.

"It's part of the mission we came together for . . . to bring down
abuse of substances among youth and help them find positive
alternatives and help them restore their faith in positive values,"
said Ronnie Katz, coordinator of substance abuse prevention programs
for Portland's Health and Human Services Department.

The survey, which is going on now and can be filled out online, is
the work of One Maine One Portland and Portland Communities
Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol. The groups are umbrella
organizations for agencies that are working against teen substance
abuse. Members include direct treatment providers, law enforcement
and social service agencies.

People who live and work in the city can participate in the survey
by going online or by contacting organizers. The results will be
used to develop a substance-abuse prevention plan that the community
can support.

Organizers plan a public forum April 26 to discuss survey results
and how the city and various prevention groups should respond. At
the meeting, participants will be asked to vote on what initiatives
they want to pursue.

"We want to have a coordinated citywide plan so that we can have
targets for the next five years . . . the areas we want to impact
and how we're going to go about it," said Erica Schmitz, coordinator
for Portland Communities Mobilizing for Change on
Alcohol. "Community involvement and participation and ownership of
the process is really important to make it work."

The survey asks for the top three things "helping to keep youth
healthy, safe and free from alcohol, tobacco and other drugs." It
also asks for the main issues teenagers and pre-teens are dealing
with regarding substance abuse and what it might take to solve those problems.

Mariah McKenzie, a freshman at Portland High School, said easy
access contributes to the city's drug problem. She also said
athletics are a good antidote for some teenagers.

"A lot of kids don't do drugs or drink because they have to stay in
shape," she said. Her friend Tamara Manzer said drinking or smoking
can get you kicked off the team, another powerful disincentive.

Kids sometimes abuse substances because it helps distract them from
bad things going on in their lives, said Marcy Angelo, also a freshman.

"There are always things going on in your life that you can't help.
Drinking, doing drugs and smoking is an easy way to vent," she said.

While the survey will provide information, making a difference will
require more work, say organizers.

"It's not enough to identify what the problems are in the community.
We need to identify what people care about and what they're willing
to take on as priorities for action," Schmitz said.

"We really want to promote the idea that it's everyone's
responsibility. It's not just parents. It's not just kids and
schools. It's every member of the community."

By The Numbers

The 04 Maine Youth Drug and Alcohol Use Survey showed that high
school seniors engaged in the following behaviors during the previous year:

23.5 PERCENT had been drunk or high at school.

12.4 PERCENT had sold illegal drugs.

6.2 PERCENT had been arrested.

81.6 PERCENT had participated in school clubs.

76.4 PERCENT had done extra work for school.

68.2 PERCENT had volunteered to do community service