STAND AGAINST DRUGS

In recent months, we've heard a lot about the city of Indianapolis.
Residents are banding together to rid their communities of drugs and crime.
They've taken a stand and made a difference.

While Martinsville may not have the crime rate as that of big cities such
as Indianapolis, it does have drugs, and where there are drugs, there are
people who sell them.

I can't name names or locations, but I have personally witnessed such
transactions. These people make little or not effort to hide their
activities. I find this very disturbing!

If I witnessed these goings on, it stands to reason others did too. So why
don't residents get together, communicate with one another, and work with
the police department to rid our neighborhoods of drugs and drug dealers?

Don't you care that someone next door or across the street is selling
drugs? Doesn't it bother you that our young people are becoming drug
addicts? Doesn't it concern you that once addicted, these people will
commit crimes to support their habit? What if you become the victim of one
of these crimes? What if it's your son or daughter, grandchild, friend or
neighbor?

It is not enough to "talk" to kids about drugs. Drug dealers have very
persuasive ways to get kids to "try" it. We will never eliminate drugs and
drug dealers entirely, but we can make it very uncomfortable for dealers to
live in our neighborhoods.

We can let property owners know when they rent to drug dealers, their
presence won't be tolerated, and they will be held accountable.

Martinsville is not a bad city, but it lacks concerned citizens. The police
department is only as good as the community. The police can't be everywhere
all the time. They know there are drug dealers and all branches of law
enforcement will tell you they rely heavily on information they receive
from the public. Report suspicious activity. Talk to your neighbors, share
information.

With new, more deadly drugs entering the U.S., it's time some of these
"slumlords' pay the penalty.

Many states are vigorously pursuing such landlords, not only seizing their
property, but other assets as well. As long as drug dealers have a "safe
haven" to peddle their deadly wares, they will thrive, and they'll do it
right here in our city, Martinsville. It is all up to us. We can make a
difference if we care enough.

Sally McIntosh, Martinsville