TREASURER: INVEST IN KIDS BY KEEPING THEM DRUG FREE

LUMBERTON - Richard Moore has spent the last seven years looking after
employees' retirement plans as the state treasurer. On Thursday, Moore
gave a pep talk in Lumberton to agencies in the business of securing
the futures of young people by steering them away from substance abuse.

"There are no two things that are more important than combating drugs
and helping our children," Moore told about 400 people who were
attending the 10th annual Red Ribbon Luncheon at the Southeastern N.C.
Agricultural Center/Farmers Market. "We are all grateful to Palmer
Prevention for the work they do, day in and day out."

Palmer Prevention, a non-profit drug prevention organization, sponsors
the luncheon each year along with the Sheriff's Office, which had many
of its officers present at the luncheon. Most of those in the crowd
sported red clothing and displayed red ribbons.

Activities have been held all week at public schools that encourage
children to reject drugs. Teachers also have handed out red ribbons at
school.

"This luncheon and the (week) of events shows that this community is
serious about keeping drugs off our streets and out of the hands of
our children," Moore said. "As a parent of 16- and 12-year-old sons
and a 10-year-old daughter, you are always under attack when you're
trying to bring your children up the right way."

Moore's anti-drug message was peppered with national statistics about
drug use from 2006.

More than 22.6 million people, representing 9.2 percent of the
population older than 12, abused drugs or alcohol at some point during
that year. On any given day, 631,000 adolescents between the ages 12
to 17 drank alcohol; almost as many used marijuana; 13,000 used
cocaine; and 3,800 used heroin.

An average of 4,300 youths use drugs for the first time every day in
the United States.

"Right here, four out of five families are affected by drugs and
alcohol," Moore said. "These statistics are frightening, but they show
why this week and the work that all of you do directly or indirectly
is so important."

Moore said: "Our children are under attack from so many different
directions, but we've got to have hope." He said hope is born out of
opportunity and the belief that tomorrow might be better than today.
Tom Norton, executive director of Palmer Prevention, recognized
several financial supporters of his organization and handed out some
awards.

Palmer Prevention, which has offices in Pembroke and Lumberton, is
celebrating its 15th anniversary.

"Trust me, Palmer does not do this by itself," Norton said. "There are
a couple of other agencies (that have) been around here a long time.
There is plenty of work for all of us. There is no reason to compete."

Norton ended the luncheon by encouraging the public to complain when
they see paraphernalia in convenience stores that is used to smoke
marijuana.

"It's a social trigger that tells our kids that smoking marijuana is
OK," Norton said. "Unfortunately, some of the kids that I see know 50
different brands of rolling papers and 50 different brands of alcohol,
but they can't name the 50 states in the country they live in.

"That has to change and it starts with us. It starts with you as an
individual and as a family, then it will spread into the community"

Moore, a Democrat from Oxford, is running for governor. A event in his
honor was held Thursday night at the farmers market to help raise
money for the campaign.