HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976 09-01 Drug Education for Youth supported by area officials THE REVIEW THE REVIEW Wed.,Sept.1,1976 Page 9
To operate in Gladstone building
Drug Education for Youth
supported by area officials
by Kamy Ide the Gladstone area who said,"I feel no and will be bussed from their homes to the Citizens Advisory Council on Alcohol and
threat of any kind to the community from school and back home.They will not be Drug Abuse and on the Metropolitan Drug
"I believe I'm one man who can stand this program and favor the special use allowed to leave the school building Assembly.
up and say if I hadn't been helped,I'd be permit."A 19-year-old former alcoholic without an accompanying staff member. He also has helped initiate drug abuse
in the state penitentiary today....I wish to and resident of Maplewood also said he She explained that academics are help programs for the state and for
God there had been someplace to go when supported the program. stressed in the program,with additional private industry,and has worked with
I was 10 or 11." Drug Education for Youth,Inc.,wishes time spent on"working on the problem" many agencies in Ramsey County and the
Mario D'Arse,an ex-addict and now to establish administrative offices and of drug abuse.She said the program is an Washington County Mental Health
leader in development of drug abuse- conduct drug-chemical dependency "alternative educational situation." Association as well.
related programs in the metropolitan education,counseling and treatment Youngsters in the program are to ab- Councilmen Anderson and Greavu
area,spoke those words Thursday,Aug. programs in the southeast wing of the stain from drug usage and addicts on expressed concerns about the sale of
26 in support of a new Maplewood-based school. methadone while attempting to stop drugs in schools,and D'Arse explained,
program. Programs to be offered include coon- heroin usage are not allowed in the "Let's-Get-The-Pusher is not an easy
Speaking before the Maplewood City seling during weekdays for adolescents program. game to play"and that pushers are often
Council,D'Arse urged and received their and their families to determine possible They are placed in the program by their very difficult to catch."If you do find out
approval of a special use permit allowing courses of action to help the youngster, Parents or by the courts. who it is,you're often very surprised."
Drug Education for Youth,Inc.to operate according to Sister Letitia Close, Sister Close explained this educational The 19-year-old ex-alcoholic explained
in Gladstone School, now called the program director.She said about 700 or program,called the Talisman program, he felt the council was expressing"a lot of
Community Education Center. Boo such appointments are expected in a will have a maximum of 20 students. fear"of such programs.He said many
The council voted unanimously to grant one-year period. The program has been operating since People mistakenly had the idea that
the special use permit after a one-hour A second phase of the program is drug last October in a building at 415 Summit chemically dependent individuals are
public hearing and discussion on the education and information classes to be Ave.However that house is being sold and "violent people."
center,its operations and purposes. offered the general public by special the program is seeking to relocate in this He explained he had been treated at St.
Councilman Norman Anderson made request or by invitation. The classes area. Mary's Hospital and supported establish-
the motion to grant the permit, saying would probably include eight seminars Some of the youngsters in the program ment of more out-patient programs.
"I'm in full support of this.It's the only running three hours per evening, one are from North St.Paul-Maplewood area. Sister Close also noted that existing
way we can go at this (drug abuse) evening per week for four to six weeks. In expressing his support of the programs may be of the type where a
problem." program,D'Arse explained he began to youngster talks with a counselor once a
Councilman John Greavu voiced some which most ce third oncof the program,erned the council,eisone
a that had when
"didwas
time"yin thrs e state week
ng"and then does h juit what a he's been
objections,saying,"I don't want to do this daytime educational program for doing the rest ofiz the time"and others
g �rhe require hospitalization.
to someone else's neighborhood." chemically dependent youth under the He said he was taken in by the Luger
Anderson explained, "I'm in the neigh- age of 18. familyand helped.
borhood and I support it." In Septemberrof was She said,"Talismanfis a .attempt to get
Other support came from a resident of Sister mClese explainedghutthe Paul erand inteagainservealyears later,r was into the amiddle ous the road.We want to
live at homes throughout the St.Paul area appointed to serve on the governor's help these youngsters."