YOUTH DRUG ABUSE COMPLICATED ISSUE

Almost three pages of Sunday's Florida Today were devoted to an article on
drug abuse, a complicated problem that deserves to be presented objectively
with valid statistics and supporting documentation as opposed to an opinion
essay skewed by selective comments.

To build a thesis constructed around one survey of anonymously polled
students in 2000 raises many questions. For example, is drug use in Brevard
County greater than in either Dade or Orange counties?

Yes, like other areas in our county, state, and nation, the communities on
the barrier island are dealing with drug-related issues, particularly
prevalent among the teen-age population.

To state that "drugs [are] a part of life at [the] beach" is an
irresponsible generalization, even if buried deep within page two is a
small disclaimer that "no statistics show conclusively a difference between
beachside and mainland drug use within the county."

We all carry the grief borne heavily by the families of our youth lost
needlessly, and as adults we all must focus on finding answers. Instead of
blaming wealthy, single, "arrogant," double-income working and/or laid-back
beach parents, school personnel or the justice system, maybe the focus
should be on the pressures confronting today's young people.

Perhaps the solution is in connecting with teenagers the old fashioned way,
one at a time, and really listening non-judgmentally. Why do so many need
to "escape" from their lives? If it gives solace to families living off the
barrier island to blame the beach scene, fine, but consider this: If we
closed off bridges, would the drug issue be moot?