ANTI-DRUG GRANT IN MERCER DESPERATELY NEEDED

Mercer County's Community Connections, Inc. has received a $100,000
grant to help the Creating Opportunities for Youth program locally in
its effort to prevent and reduce drug, alcohol and tobacco use among
youth. U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall announced the award by the U.S.
Department of Justice saying he recognizes the importance of
preventing the use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco, especially among our
children and young people. All three uses are presenting problems to
communities nationwide, including our own.

Rahall said, and we agree, "Preventing drug, alcohol and tobacco use
before it begins is the best answer to our nation's drug problem. This
money will help the Mercer County community to reach out to those who
may succumb to the lure of drugs."

There are growing reports of concern about drug sales and use in
Mercer County. Law enforcement agencies are working tirelessly to
apprehend the people who are responsible for the sales of a wide
variety of narcotics in our general area. Recently, a number of cases
have been solved with arrests and convictions made. We salute the
local police and the drug task force for the work they do and urge
them to continue their efforts.

Stopping drug use at any age is important to the welfare of the
individual, the family and the entire community. However, stopping
drug use early spares future cost of treatment, rehabilitation and
other socially related expenses for the communities, state and
national governments, which makes such grants attractive to lawmakers
in addition to their concern for our youth.

Grants like the one received by Community Connections will help assure
a future for valued young people who listen and respond.

The message is "Life is better when drugs are not a part of
it."