THE UPCOMING SUMMIT FOR YOUTH SHOULD FOCUS ON OUTREACH PROGRAMS

This month, the members of the Stop the Violence Coalition will continue
their daunting task of trying to reduce shootings, drug use and other
illegal activities among young people in Wilmington. A week from Saturday
they will hold their second "Teen Youth Summit" since last August at
Salesianum School.

The group was formed after a particularly unfortunate shooting in a barber
shop near 4th and Market streets left a man and a little boy dead. These
fatalities were part of a stream of shootings that have plagued Wilmington
for years. Mayor Baker rightfully sees drugs at the root of most violence
and other illegal activity. The shootings seem to ebb and flow but never
diminish.

The coalition holding the summit intend to focus on how young people can
avoid drug and alcohol use, resolve conflicts and deal with curfews,
parents and police. These are worthy goals. But there is a problem: the 500
or so teens who will come to the summit already understand the need for
changed behavior and, in fact, aren't the thugs committing the crimes.

We would urge the coalition leaders and the young people who attend the
summit to devote at least part of the day to development of an outreach
program; an effort to bring the coalition's worthy message to the young
people selling drugs and defending their territory with guns.

It is right to nurture the instincts for good, law abiding behavior in the
"good kids," but until the gangs of anti-social hoodlums are persuaded to
leave drugs and weapons alone, the shootings in Wilmington will not abate.