OUR YOUNG PEOPLE NEED TO HEAR A CONSISTENT MESSAGE

To the editor:

On Thursday, June 6, 25 sixth-grade students from the 21st Century
Community Learning Center After School program at Lynch Middle School
celebrated their commitment to remain drug, alcohol and tobacco-free by
performing a skit for family and community members, eating pizza, and
receiving recognition for their efforts.

Each student agreed to: stay clean of drugs, discourage others from using,
remain involved in at least one extra-curricular activity, and avoid being
suspended from school. To recognize the efforts of these students, local
businesses are offering discounts by way of a "Gold Card." When presented
at participating restaurants, students are eligible for things like a free
small fry or 10 percent off their purchase.

I would like to thank each of the businesses that agreed to participate in
the recognition of our youth. Preventing our kids from using drugs and
alcohol is not just a parent's responsibility. The community owes it to the
youth for us all to play a part in contributing to their positive
development. When kids hear the message at home, that they are loved and
important, and parents want them to stay off drugs, they will listen. When
they hear it at school from teachers, friends and staff, kids will start to
think about it. When kids hear the message from police officers, business
owners, neighbors and community leaders that we all want them to have every
opportunity possible and that we will not tolerate 44 percent of our
seventh-graders using alcohol (Communities That Care survey, 2000,
Montgomery County), then they begin to believe that they matter and are an
important part of our community. As they are, for these youth are our
future community leaders.

Our youth need to hear a consistent message. The contributions of the
participating businesses are an excellent beginning for us to become
involved in the lives of Amsterdam's young people. We all have the
potential to incite change in our community and make it a better place. In
our own ways, we are all the "anti-drug."

Rachel Staroba, Amsterdam