RALLYING TO REDUCE DRUG, ALCOHOL ABUSE

Every 22 minutes, someone in this country dies from the use of drugs
or alcohol. This sobering statistic isn't confined to just adults or
young people but people across the age, social, racial, economic and
religious spectrum.

Drug abuse involving a whole range of drugs and beverages, from beer
to hard liquor, is a phenomenon that has hit teenagers and young
adults particularly hard. And society, families, school systems and
the economy are paying the price for drug and alcohol abuse.

This week is Red Ribbon Week across the nation. Greenville and
Washington County schools and organizations are participating in order
to bring greater awareness to this national crisis.

What we know for sure about this crisis is that it doesn't matter if it's a
small, rural school in the Mississippi Delta or an urban school in New York
or Chicago: Drugs and alcohol have found their way to these places with
devastating consequences.

Many will be wearing red ribbons this week as a show of support for
educational efforts to bring about a greater awareness of just what is
going on with drug and alcohol abuse.

The Washington County Anti-Drug Community Partnership, as well as
public school districts in the county, will host a series of
activities in conjunction with the schools to provide a daily reminder
of just how serious a problem society is dealing with.

And while students will be taking a lead role in coordinating and
presenting many of these programs, the message is also going out to
parents, guardians, teachers and others in positions of responsibility
and leadership.

It would be a rare thing if we all didn't know someone -- a friend,
relative or an acquaintance -- who didn't have some contact or problem
with drug or alcohol abuse. Many schools have experienced the loss of
someone, or many someones in the student body who lost their lives
because of some involvement with drugs or alcohol.

There are countless stories of young lives snuffed out because of drug
or alcohol abuse. Depression, a sense of isolation, low self-esteem,
wanting to be accepted, wanting to be cool or not wanting to be
"square" or uncool, or simply challenging authority are some reasons
people turn to drugs or alcohol.

So as Red Ribbon Week progresses, the public needs to keep in mind
that the drug and alcohol abuse problem is ongoing, day in and day
out, with temptations around every corner.

Those involved in Red Ribbon Week activities, as well as those who
deal with these issues every day, are not here to judge or condemn but
to show compassion, understanding and provide a better way to deal
with issues.

You can make a stand Saturday at 2 p.m. at Legion Field in Greenville,
where a Red Ribbon Rally will be held and sponsored by the Washington
County Anti-Drug Community Partnership.

Bring yourself and invite a friend, relative or acquaintance to come,
too. It might make a difference.

And making a difference in even just one life makes all the efforts
worthwhile.