ARE DRUGS FILLING ACTIVITIES VOID?

It's said that with its sophistication and charm, Sarasota is the
gem of Florida's Gulf Coast.

However, our city, as beautiful as it might be, contains underlying
issues -- some seldom addressed.

I've discovered through research that drug convictions in Florida
made up 48.9 percent of its total criminal convictions in 2001. This
is above the national average of 41.2 percent.

Being a part of the younger generation, I'm interested in this problem.

According to a survey, a higher percentage of middle- and
high-school students in Sarasota have tried the specific drug
OxyContin than in any other county in Florida. The 2002 Florida
Youth Substance Abuse Survey reports that 5.9 percent of students in
grades six through 12 in Sarasota County say they have experimented
with the drug, compared with a 2.5 percent state average.

There are hundreds of reasons that teens will claim they try/use
drugs. Many teens believe this is due to the lack of recreational
activities available in our city. Drugs and alcohol have come to
represent teens' last resort for entertainment. Perhaps making the
few activities that are available more affordable to the youth of
our city, or developing more clubs, organizations or hangouts, so to
speak, would mean that a smaller portion of our younger generation
will be part of that 48.9 percent.

As Whitney Houston once sang, "I believe the children are our
future. Teach them well and let them lead the way."

Take this quote to heart. I know that I'm not the only one in this
city who feels this way. There are so many other teens dying to
express their opinions on matters left unaddressed, which,
hopefully, in time, will be resolved.

Katherine Valdesuso

Sarasota