COMMUNITY WANTS STANCE AGAINST DRUGS

YUKON -- A community, reeling from the drug-related death of a 15-year-old
and the drug overdose of an 18-year-old last week, is seeking to be more
proactive in its war on drugs. Community leaders, police, city leaders,
school officials and concerned residents will meet at 9:30 a.m. today in
the school administration building, 600 Maple Ave., to discuss strategies
for increasing drug awareness among youth.

Shaun Tyler Acklin, 15, was found dead in a friend's home Friday morning.
According to a police report, two juvenile witnesses reported Acklin had
been taking pills a day earlier that he said were methadone.

Ethan Marburger, 18, is recovering at Mercy Health Center from a drug
overdose. Marburger was taken to the hospital after he went into cardiac
arrest May 25 at Yukon High School.

"I'll definitely live differently and clean up my life," Marburger said
Wednesday. "I'll treasure life now. I've got a second chance."

Students said they were surprised.

"It was a real shock," freshman Seth Meier, 16, said. "No one really
expected it."

Meier said drugs are readily available at the high school.

"Pills are really popular right now. Ecstasy and cocaine, too," Meier said.
"Drugs are very available if you really want some."

City leaders, police and school officials say they want to collaborate to
keep drugs out of the hands of youth, as well as out of the community.

"There is a drug problem in our community. We can't ignore it and sweep it
under the rug," City Manager Jim Crosby told city council members Tuesday.
"We need to be more proactive."

But Police Chief Ike Shirley said the only way to really make a difference
in the community is to collaborate with students, schools, community
organizations, law enforcement and city government.

"Young people need to take a leadership role. Don't let your friends do
drugs," Shirley said. "A lot of people think they're immortal. It's a shame
we had to have a young person succumb to the use of drugs."