LACK OF YOUTH ACTIVITIES HAS ITS PRICE

I continue to hear people speak about the drug problem in the
Charlotte County area. My friend, Kai Hockel, died two weeks ago,
possibly due to an overdose, so I don't need to hear about the
problem; I can see it.

This fast-growing community begs the question, what else are we
supposed to do?

Please tell me why, with a plethora of resources, we can build
ourselves into a housing boom, but when someone mentions building a
refuge for young people, everyone scratches their head. I wonder how
some counties build parks and recreational areas for all ages, along
with shooting ranges and preserves for youth recreation. I wonder how
many construction people and tax dollars must be needed for them,
because we obviously don't have enough.

Why is it that our county commissioners can spend more than $75,000 to
move a bunk house that can barely stand to a recreational trail that
few people use. Historical or not, there are many more problems at
this moment that we should be dealing with first.

Who makes these decisions where to spend our hard-earned tax dollars?
Do these people care about the youth or the drug problems without
resorting to the security-system solution?

Election time is near. Do politicians care about anything other than
Social Security and taxes and insurance prices?

What do these issues have to do with me? As a recent college graduate
returning to this area, I am extremely disappointed in the focus of
our leaders. They are leading the rich to be afraid of the poor. But
they should realize one thing: Drugs don't have to be a problem. Not
if we have somewhere else to turn.

Sean Hall,

Port Charlotte