AREA MUST CELEBRATE VICTORIES

Any history buff knows that winning a war first means being victorious
in the smaller battles.

And when you look at America's war on drugs, well, there are battles
everywhere.

In Adams County, though, we celebrated seven victories this
week.

The newest graduating class of the Adams County Youth Drug Court
received diplomas Wednesday, with minimal community fanfare.

These teenagers have completed months of clean drug tests, good grades
and good behavior. They've been under close scrutiny and messing up
meant answering to the judge.

But now they are free, free to live life the right
way.

The struggles aren't over; they never will be, but these teens have
learned how to overcome their struggles.

Our community should celebrate.

The youth drug court -- and an adult counterpart -- has been changing
lives in Adams County for years. The teams who lead the programs truly
care about the participants and in turn they help the participants
care about the community.

Seven battles were won this week, and perhaps if we want to celebrate
victory in war we may all simply have to care more and more about each
individual battle.