 By Sonia Streitmatter February 20, 2006 Regarding the comment by Kayleigh Martin. I am also not too concerned with the much talked-about bridge issue. I agree that a few other healthy alternatives for the young adults in this town would be refreshing and good for the community as a whole. You listed a few things that kids ages 13 - 20 can do in this town past 7pm such as go to Walmart, cruise town, and go to the Pioneer Pantry. However, I would like to add a few other things: How about the Rec Center? How about going to see a nice movie? How about renting a movie or checking one out from the library and watching it at home with friends and/or family? In the summertime, kids could go on a hike up Deer Mountain, a nature walk at Ward Lake or walk the trail over the 3rd Ave. bypass since it does not get dark until about 10 pm. What about getting a part-time job? Joining a sports team? Taking a nighttime art class at the college or rec center? Getting involved in a local theater production? Bowling at the Ketchikan Entertainment Center? Going out for a pizza? Volunteering at a non-profit organization? Play a board game with your family. Go visit with grandparents. Take up photography. Most of these activities can and should be done with parents. Parents should be close to their children and be an active part in their child's life. There are quite a few viable options for young adults in Ketchikan. There are lots of kids in this town that are faced with the same and yet they do not turn to drugs out of boredom. Growing up in a Chicago suburb, believe me, there were plenty of places to go and things to see to keep us occupied, but I knew more than a few kids that took the route to drugs and bad behavior. I think the excuse "there
was nothing else do" is a weak cop-out. Yes, I think that
the community should look at the drug problem in our youth. However,
I think a kid could come up with something else to do if they
just take the time to look around for something positive. Ketchikan
is full of positive activities as well as negative ones as is
the case in every town in America. Which way a kid turns is their
choice and they should take responsibility for that instead of
blaming their community. Sonia Streitmatter
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