ALLIED DRIVE NEEDS DRUG PROGRAMS

I have read several articles regarding Allied Drive's problems. Drug
abuse and/or addiction is one of the main contributing factors to
those problems. However, I have not read about one initiative to
address this serious, chronic, progressive problem.

Over the years, money, programs and services have been poured into the
neighborhood, but not for programs for prevention and treatment for
alcohol and drug abuse and/or addiction. It is undeniable that Allied
Drive is drug-infested.

The new community center's programs will be managed by the Boys &
Girls Club and agencies partnering with them; the programs consist of
a food pantry, health care and education, family counseling, financial
counseling, employment training and adult physical fitness, but no
services for drug and alcohol addiction, such as AODA counselors,
individual or group counseling, counseling for families of those
addicted, and most of all counseling and education for the children.

The Allied Drive neighborhood would benefit from programs in the new
community center to address drug and alcohol problems.

Viola Schwartz

Madison