December 23, 2009
Wednesday

Ketchikan, Alaska - "I saw the hurt in my kids and didn't know how to solve it," said Diana Chaudhary, mother of teenagers attending middle school and Ketchikan High School. "We need to step up to take action. I spoke to a former police officer who told me that until the community comes together and says 'enough' loud and clear, and is willing to do something about it, the problems will continue."

Chaudhary is one of a group of concerned citizens who have initiated a community summit slated for January 12, 2010, from 6:00 to 8:30pm at the Ted Ferry Civic Center. This forum, entitled, "Enough is Enough, a Community Conversation," invites all segments of the community, from elected officials to business owners to service organizations to youth and families, to participate in an exchange of concerns and solutions. The community needs to stand together to address the problems caused by the influence of drugs and alcohol and other issues that threaten the future of our youth and our community as a whole.

According to Zig Ziegler, local realtor and businessman, "There is a huge problem in Ketchikan. That problem is drugs; specifically meth and OxyContin. The costs, not only monetary but socially, are staggering. It is time to take control of a situation that is out of control."

The format of this meeting will begin with an opportunity to "meet and greet" at 6pm followed by an open forum facilitated by Cathy LeCompte, Director of University of Alaska Southeast Ketchikan. Participants will be invited to address questions and offer solutions on cards sent forward to the facilitator. The goal of the meeting is to come together around discussion of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Suicides, Dropouts, Domestic Violence, Homelessness, Socio-Economic Threats and issue a call to action to make lasting changes in Ketchikan.

Others taking a leadership role in supporting this community event include Pat Chapman, a board member of Ketchikan Youth Court, Bobbie McCreary, Administrator of Ketchikan Youth Initiatives and Cathy Cooley, Executive Director of the Creekside Meeting Network.

Source of News:

Ketchikan Youth Initiatives

 

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