MAKE COMMITMENT TO FIGHTING DRUG ABUSE

I would like to take this opportunity to praise the Daily Herald for its
outstanding series on the "Hidden Scourge" of illegal drug use, and
especially Madeleine Doubek and the staff writers who contributed to its
excellence. In addition, their hosting of the Tuesday, Jan. 29 community
forum "Heroin and Club Drug Use" at the Arcada Theater in St. Charles is
testament to the Daily Herald's commitment to be more than just a newspaper
that reports the news, but a contributing member of our local communities.

During my 20 years as a prosecutor, time and time again I have seen the
devastation that the use and abuse of drugs has caused in the lives of so
many, including the addicts themselves, their families and the many
citizens whose lives are effected as a result. These club drugs are deadly,
and sometimes only one pill could cost the life of a teen. Ask the parents
in our local communities who mourn the loss of their child, their brother,
or their sister. It happens.

Strengthening the law and enhancing penalties is just one important step in
addressing this problem. Education, treatment and prevention efforts are
also critical. We need to reach out to kids before they experiment, not
after it's too late.

The Daily Herald's series brought the problem to light, highlighting the
fact that the use of heroin and club drugs is not just a problem for
Chicago or the suburbs, but for all of Illinois. The use of these drugs is
happening in our high schools, at our shopping malls, in city alleys as
well as on our farms. Dealers don't discriminate when introducing illegal
drugs to our youth. Unfortunately, while teens are experimenting with drugs
and dying, drug kingpins are getting rich.

The community forum that the Daily Herald is presenting on Jan. 29 at the
Arcada Theater in St. Charles, "Heroin and Club Drug Use", is vitally
important and should be used as a model across the state. Bringing together
former users, law enforcement, researchers, drug experts and families who
have lost loved ones as a result of these club drugs will provide an
excellent panel for this community forum. It will allow parents, teens and
citizens to hear firsthand the potential impacts on the health and
development of our teens and the impact these drugs are having on our
communities. In addition, you will hear from families whose lives have been
tragically affected. These aren't families from New York or Colorado. These
are our neighbors who are suffering the loss of children because of
Ecstasy, heroin and club drugs.

Parents, teenagers, educators, clergy as well as all citizens need to
listen. The Daily Herald has brought the issue to the forefront. Now it is
our job to act in order to make a positive difference in our communities.

Joseph E. Birkett, DuPage County State's Attorney, Wheaton