TEENS' DRUG REPORT IMPROVES; STILL ALARMING

When is good news bad news? The answer to that riddle would accurately
describe the 2004 Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey results for
Charlotte County.

Charlotte County no longer ranks as the worst in the state for teenage
drug, tobacco and alcohol use, and that is good news. However, the numbers
are still startling and much too high for anyone to accept.

For two years, Charlotte County teenagers responded to the survey by saying
they, and their peers, used drugs and alcohol more frequently than teens in
any other Florida county. In 2004, the rate of substance abuse declined in
almost every category, pushing Charlotte County down the list three notches
- -- but ahead of 63 other counties in the rate of abuse.

The subtle changes can be linked to the creation of the Charlotte Alliance
for a Safe and Drug Free Community -- an organization made possible through
Charlotte County Schools and Peace Lutheran Church and funds provided by
Gov. Jeb Bush and Director of the Florida Office of Drug Control Jim
McDonough. Amity Chandler, director of the alliance, has worked diligently
to create programs that make kids more aware of the dangers of substance abuse.

Still, Charlotte County ranks above state averages for teen substance
abuse. Consider these survey results:

* 39.5 percent of Charlotte teens used alcohol in the past 30 days compared
to a 32.3 percent state average.

* 15.9 percent of local teens used tobacco in the past 30 days compared to
a state average of 11.4 percent.

* 14.7 percent of county teens used marijuana (down from 21.8 percent) in
the past month while 11.5 percent of state youths did so.

* Just under 1 percent of Charlotte youths used crack cocaine -- a number
that is up from .6 percent -- in the past 30 days.

* Heroin use is up to .5 percent, from .3 percent, among local youths.

* 4.3 percent of Charlotte County students report they took a gun to school
in the past 30 days -- up from 4 percent last year.

* 7.6 percent of Charlotte County students have sold drugs in the past 30 days.

* 16.8 percent of our students admit they went to school drunk or high in
the past 30 days.

Recently, we wrote that the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office and the
school system should reconsider rules pertaining to taking drug- sniffing
dogs into the schools. We believe Charlotte County should adopt the same
policy used by some other school districts that have students leave
classrooms while the dogs sniff backpacks and belongings. Too often
students outsmart police by knowing dogs cannot sniff on them personally.

More support for the alliance and the good work Chandler is doing --
through donations or volunteering to work -- is another positive step we
could take.

Most of all -- just as the TV ads say -- parents should talk to their kids.
A survey taken by Partnership for a Drug-Free America indicated only 85
percent of parents talked with their children about drugs at least one time
last year. Ask your children if they have experimented with drugs. You may
not get a straight answer, but you are sending a message you care.

The battle against substance abuse -- for teens and adults -- never ends.
All of us should consider it our job to participate in that fight for the
good and the future of our children.