STAND AGAINST DRUGS DRAWS SMALL CROWD OF 'LIKE-MINDED FOCUS,' ORGANIZER SAYS

Though the numbers were fewer than he would have liked, Pastor Ken Gorham is
encouraged by the response to his Stand Against Drugs rally and march held
on the weekend.

"The numbers were smaller than we would have hoped for, but we don't look
down upon small beginnings," he said.

He says about 50 people attended the march and rally. There were seniors,
parents with their small children and teenagers in attendance. All were "of
like-minded focus," says Pastor Gorham. "Somebody's got to do something."

He says he was most encouraged by the teens in attendance. He talked to them
at the rally, and "they are more than little bit aware of what's going on,"
he says.

The lack of politicians who attended was disappointing, says Pastor Gorham.
They were all invited, but only Sal Polito showed up for the rally. "Sal is
pro-active against the drugs," says Pastor Gorham.

He would like to take his message about how drugs destroy people and
families to schools. "I'm not walking in as Pastor Ken, I'm walking in as
Ken Gorham, an ex-drug addict," he says.

He believes children have to hear the message from someone who's walked the
walk.

Laidlaw offered transportation for those unable to walk for the whole march,
Van Halteren Music donated the use of a sound system and Cardinal Signs
donated the banners. "Without people like that in your community," says
Pastor Gorham, "it's hard to do anything. Our budget's non-existent."