COMBINED EFFORTS WILL DEFEAT DRUG SCOURGE

Regarding the recent three-part series aptly titled "Drug Crossroads"
(Page A-1, July 17-19).

I have lived in Paterson for my entire life. An influx of drugs will
not discourage me nor will it motivate me to move. I would rather work
with others like me who love our historic and diverse home to find a
solution that will save our city and more importantly, our children.

There is no silver bullet when it comes to combating crime and ridding
our streets of illegal narcotics. However, we can launch a concerted
effort to eradicate this plague on our community. If young adults from
other places can afford to come here and buy heroin and cocaine, then
why don't we enlist their parents, police and elected officials in our
fight to keep their residents from coming here?

Education, employment and law enforcement are the three areas where
answers can be found.

Our youngsters need jobs. Employment can help keep them off the
streets and teach them the importance of an honest day's work.

One law enforcement agency is not going to eradicate this blight
alone. It will take a multi-agency effort. Paterson's police along
with the Sheriff's Department must team up to aggressively address
this bane to our city. The federal and state governments must join
forces with local law enforcement to help alleviate the problem and
ameliorate the situation. They all must go straight to the source:
gangs.

We did not get in this mess alone. Therefore, it will take the help of
others to clean it up.

Our lack of a comprehensive plan has perpetuated the problem. Our
combined efforts can help solve it.

ANDRE SAYEGH

Paterson