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| Candidates and DRUGS | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Nov 4 2007, 09:25 AM (419 Views) | |
| D2ns | Nov 4 2007, 09:25 AM Post #1 |
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Advanced Member
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All mayoral and city council candidates were invited and requested to respond to Five questions pertaining to: Livonia, Our Youth, Drug and Alcohol Use and Abuse. The following candidates chose to respond to the Livonia Save Our Youth Task Force inquiries. Frank Kalinski Terry Godfroid-Marecki Laura Toy Save Our Youth Task Force - Voter's Guide View these candidates' responses to the SOYTF quesitons. http://saveouryouthtaskforce.com/voterguide/voter_guide.htm Thank you to the candidates who have shared their opinions and ideas. We appreciate their time. |
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| D2ns | Nov 4 2007, 06:26 PM Post #2 |
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Advanced Member
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[size=7]Voter[/size] Guide Responses From City Council Candidates: Frank Kalinski, Terry Godfroid-Marecki, and Laura Toy We'd like to thank all three candidates for taking the time to share their views on these important Livonia issues. On August 20, 2006 the Livonia Observer reported that "Livonia police suspect [fentanyl] could have played a role in a dozen deaths in Livonia over the past year." What is the role of city government in addressing drug use and addiction? Kalinski - The city should transmit information about specific drug and alcohol trends that police and schools gather. This will be particularly difficult because there is not a “protocol” established. Information such as what school or who the people are would be kept confidential but drugs and what they look like and associated behaviors should be made public as quickly as possible. Godfroid-Marecki - The role of government is to have a police/public safety department with a narcotics division that does every thing it can to pursue drug offenders of any kind. Drug sellers, drug users and anyone involved in illicit drug sales/use need to be found and prosecuted. Toy - City government has a very clear role through its police force in enforcing drug laws and prosecuting violators. However, city government does not have such a clearly defined role in addressing the social problems associated with drug use and addiction, which are probably better addressed by families, religious, and community organizations rather than through the judicial system. According to the 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 39.4% of 18 to 25 year olds reported having used an illicit drug other than marijuana. Assuming Livonia is average, that's 2839 young Livonia residents. What is the role of city government preventing drug use among Livonia youth? Kalinski - Elected officials should remind parents that primary learning happens at home. We must transmit the message that drug and alcohol addiction is so vile and pernicious and it can happen to any family at any time. City government would best speak to parents often and attach the message to other events that are well attended such as the Spree, Recreation functions and athletic leagues that use city parks and facilities. If the message is isolated to just “drug talks” people will not come. Many short and to the point messages at many different events and venues would have more impact. Godfroid-Marecki - Same answer as above, with the addition that these statistics should be given to parents/families through news letters and the city newspaper. The true city statistics should be shared with all citizens. I would caution about projected statistics. I don't think people take them as seriously. Toy - The Livonia Police in cooperation with other law enforcement agencies can help to take drugs off the streets and the city attorney can help to ensure that dealers are aggressively prosecuted. The city can also help to sponsor educational programs about the dangers of drug use and recreation programs to keep young people occupied with productive activities. However, parental involvement is the most effective deterrent. According to the 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health 24.8% of U.S. 12 to 20 year olds reported binge drinking or heavy drinking in the past month. Assuming Livonia is average, that's 2930 young Livonia citizens. What is the role of city government in addressing underage drinking, particularly binge and heavy drinking? Kalinski - Alcohol abuse is promoted through the sports and entertainment media. These subtle and not so subtle messages from society must have a bright light of truth shown on them. Elected leaders need to talk about movies, TV, radio and the internet as purveyors and promoters of the “partying” life style and catastrophic damage it brings. Godfroid-Marecki - The private sector does more to help youth than government ever does or should do. They are a resource to tap. The programs churches, religious organizations, and private groups are essential in helping troubled or non- troubled youth. It is my opinion that government is not a source to depend on with these type issues. Many of the children that now attend high school and are having drug problems, graduated from the DARE program. Was that government program as meaningful as once thought? The debate continues on the effectiveness of this particular program. Toy - City government through its public safety department and police force plays an important role in enforcing laws prohibiting the sale of alcohol to minors. Local retailers must be held accountable for violations of this law. However, this is in and of itself is obviously not a foolproof solution. Parents play an even greater role in restricting access to alcohol in their own homes and getting to know the parents of their child’s friends to help ensure that they are responsible in doing the same. A recent survey by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse found that 80% of American high school students have personally witnessed illegal drug use, illegal drug dealing, illegal drug possession, students drunk and/or students high on the grounds of their school. How can city government work with LPS and community groups like the Save Our Youth Task Force to address this problem? Kalinski - We need to speak to the fact that reporting drug and alcohol abuse is about saving lives not being a “rat”. We need to develop a “support system” for people that want to save lives as well as an early intervention program for people in the early stages of drug and alcohol use. (Maybe the anti-bully program could be a model if it is in fact working) Godfroid-Marecki - A program could be developed so that it is easier to report offenders. LPS and the school liaison officer could work together for some type of program. I also think it is extremely important that students are involved in their schools or an outside activity. Students/children need to feel self worth in their lives and have the idea instilled in them that if involve themselves in illegal activity, they will not only pay with consequences from their families but will also risk the possibility of exclusion from an activity/sport they have invested themselves in. Toy - A good example of collaboration between the city and schools is the liaison officer program. The city can also work with groups like the Save Our Youth Task Force and our local school districts on educational programs (for both students and parents). Many Livonia parents have expressed concern that the community is sending an ambiguous message about underage drinking and illegal drug use. What tools would you advocate using to ensure that businesses do not sell alcohol to minors and parents do not allow underage drinking or illegal drug use in their homes? Kalinski - The city council can direct money and efforts of the police department to deal with these problems and enforce the law. This is after all what we elect office holders for: to carry out the will of the people. Godfroid-Marecki - I am not sure what the first part of this question is referring to? Again, the city police department monitors businesses to protect our citizens from stores selling alcohol to underage children. These businesses are dealt with according to our laws. Any parent who is irresponsible enough to allow illegal drinking in their homes should be prosecuted to the maximum. If there is anything that is more deplorable, it is to hear a parent justify this behavior by the following statement 'I make sure all the kids give me their car keys before they come into my house'. What an infringement not only of our laws, but an insult to the families that don't know this parent is encouraging this behavior! Toy - I don’t believe that “the community” is sending an ambiguous message about these issues, however the media and some parents are. Local law enforcement can be aggressive about monitoring local retailers for illegal sale of alcohol and tobacco to minors. However, concerned citizens and parents need to vigilant about adults who provide minors with alcohol and they need to report this activity to the police immediately. This help is needed from residents and parents because our police officers are unable to monitor these types of activities the same way they can monitor the practices of local businesses. Additional Comments Kalinski - I don’t have answers to these problems yet, but I know one thing for sure: we must speak first! As long as one child is using drugs or alcohol we have a problem. The answers will become apparent when we can honestly and openly examine our own behaviors. Our elected representatives must recognize and speak to this problem for meaningful progress to take place. |
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