WAKE UP. WE DO HAVE A DRUG PROBLEM.

This message is for anyone who feels we do not have a drug problem in
Stephens County.

I suggest first of all that you get down on your knees and thank the
Lord above that your family has not been affected by drugs.

I would also suggest that you take a trip to our Department of Family
and Children Services and see how many children have been taken away
from their family because of drugs, and while you're there, be sure to
ask how many people are getting food stamps because they can not get a
job due to the fact they can not pass a drug test.

Then take a trip to our county jail and speak to the inmates and you
will find 90 percent are in jail for drug related issues.

After that, go to work for our local school system and listen to a
child cry because they have been taken away from their parents because
of drugs. Be sure to drive a school bus and learn which children are
being raised by grandparents because of this.

We talked about the separation of state and church, and it just boils
my inside when I hear this. How are we separated when the state is
having to fund the doctor bills when someone has an overdose when they
go to the emergency room because they run out of pain pills and can't
see the doctor.

Then they run to the churches because their power has been turned off
due to taking drugs, not to ask for prayer, but to ask for money. We
have freedom of speech but only when it comes to not talking about
God.

Wake up Toccoa! We do have a drug problem in Stephens County. I am so
thankful I live in a county that has a sheriff like Randy Shirley and
police chief like Jackie Whitmire that knows we have a drug problem
and are trying to do something about it.

We have a Stephens County Anti-Drug Coalition that spends 40 or more
hours a week without pay trying to get people informed of drugs in our
county.

Again I say if you are blessed not to have your family affected with
drugs, then thank the Good Lord above.

No one is exempt. Everyone is affected directly or indirectly by
drugs. I encourage you to get behind our local officials and the drug
task force so your homes will be safe. Let's work together to make
this a safe place for kids and grandchildren.

Mary Owenby

Toccoa