TAKE AIM AT DRUGS

This message is for every parent and grandparent in the Tri-Cities,
especially Kingsport. Let's all get involved and get drugs off our streets.

The number of school-age children who use drugs has gone up from 44 percent
in 2002 to 55 percent in 2003.

How much longer are we going to sit back and let drugs destroy our children?

I challenge city officials to go out and look around at the drug problem or
talk to the police. Surely if they had any idea how bad the problem is they
would take the necessary steps to end it. One step could be to allocate
some of the $13 million they are asking for to the police department so
they can work overtime or whatever it takes to keep our children safe from
the drug dealers.

Which is more important - sports or making the children a safe place to live?

Anne Coleman

Kingsport