DRUG POLICY FORUM DISCUSSES PROGRESS

About 30 people gathered Wednesday night at the First Presbyterian Church
of Wilkes-Barre for the fourth meeting of the Citizens Drug Policy Forum of
Northeast Pennsylvania.

David Fry of the Peace Center of Wilkes-Barre facilitated the group because
of concern about what participants see as an epidemic drug problem locally.

Participants discussed progress made in finding out about bringing
methadone treatment to the area, setting up a drug court program in Luzerne
County and instituting a needle exchange.

"There seems to be a gap in services for the drug and alcohol issue," said
Organizer Al Rende of Project Restore. "There isn't enough money for
treatment and prevention, (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), Wyoming Valley
Alcohol and Drug, we need more than that."

Rende said attempts to confront the drug problem have been made by experts
and have excluded the community.

An issue, that at times became heated, was whether to include drug
legalization as part of the forum's platform.

"Our position isn't for legalization, our position is to bring people to
the table," Rende said.

In the end, the group decided its goal should be to focus on things that
can be done within the existing framework rather than advocate for the
legalization of drugs.

The Citizens Drug Policy Forum has been meeting monthly during the summer
but plans to hold biweekly meetings in the future. Meetings will be
advertised and are open to the public.