OUR YOUTH WILL PAY FOR OUR IGNORANCE ABOUT DRUGS

"Not my kid. Not my friends. Not my co-workers."

In Collier County, many of us believe we are protected from the
negative impacts of substance abuse. And if we continue with such
beliefs, ultimately, our youth will pay.

The Substance Abuse Coalition of Collier County (SACCC) is a 501(c)3
organization comprised of a team of experts who share a passion for
educating our youth and preventing substance abuse. This team has
created a holistic approach to providing a nurturing and drug-free
community for our youth. By bringing together leaders of multiple
organizations with citizen members, we can strengthen our community's
resolve to decrease juvenile substance abuse in Collier County through:

o increased education

o prevention services

o community support

On Wednesday, we, along with Collier County Public Schools, are
hosting an evening with Bob Stutman, who has worked for 37 years on
the front lines battling against and educating people about drug abuse
in our country. Stutman is the person most closely associated with the
expression "The War on Drugs."

His talk is free and open to everyone. Join us from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at
the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Administrative Center, behind Barron
Collier High School.

Did you know:

o The U.S., with 5 percent of the world's population, consumes over 50
percent of the illegal drugs produced in the entire world.

o Kids start using drugs at an average age of 12 to 13 years and they
are not using the drugs their parents used.

o More kids have died and become dependent on drugs because their
parents believed "it couldn't happen to my kid" more than any other
single reason.

o About 85 percent of all juvenile crime cases are substance abuse-
related.

Most of us like to think of Collier County as a small-town area
unaffected by substance abuse. Unfortunately, the problem is here, and
if it's left unchecked it will continue to grow. Did you know that in
Collier County:

o The use of inhalants among Collier County middle school students
nearly doubled from 12 percent in 2002 to 21 percent in 2004.

o Every third day in 2005, a Collier County juvenile went to the
hospital because of a drug or alcohol overdose.

The Wednesday event promises to be an eye-opening experience for all
who care enough about our youth and our community to attend. Formerly
in charge of the largest Drug Enforcement Agency office in the country
(New York City), Stutman has worked with Congress in forging several
of our nation's policies on drug abuse. He has trained and educated
people on this topic in over 70 different countries. He has authored a
New York Times best-seller list book on the subject. His experiences
inspired a movie about his life, and he has appeared on every major
talk show/news show in the country. He is a dynamic expert on
substance abuse, and he will provide everyone who attends with
information that could ultimately save someone's life.

Substance abuse is not a victimless crime. It destroys families,
friendships, businesses, the local economy and much more. Substance
abuse among Collier County youth is a problem.

The SACCC includes Circuit Judge Lauren L. Brodie, president; Collier
County Sheriff's Col. Kevin Rambosk, vice president; Northen Trust CEO
John Fumagalli, treasurer; and directors Dr. Marta Coburn, medical
examiner; Christine Greider, county judge; Maryellen Parker, community
member; Rey Pezeshkan, president and CEO, Architectural Network Inc.;
Carol F. Shaw, executive director, David Lawrence Foundation; Carrie
Skifton, VP and chief nursing officer, Naples Community Hospital;
Collier County Sheriff's Chief Scott Salley; Debbie Metzger, CFO of
the YMCA of Collier County; Rebecca Milnes, parent; and Dee Whinnery
and Superintendent Ray Baker of Collier County Public Schools.

Even with the expertise, talent and time of these members, it takes
all of us as a community to confront and offer solutions to this
growing problem. The challenge is working together to prevent the
destructive path substance abuse creates.

How can you help? Attend the Wednesday event; you'll be inspired to
help. The SACCC is looking for volunteers, members and financial
support. Be part of the solution. Visit our Web site at
www.drugfreecollier.org or call 377-0535.

At stake are our area's youth, their future, their
lives.