I want to thank Ralph Martin (Pilot, Jan 22) for recognizing my web site www.TheCitizensWhoCare.org saying that it "...seems obsessed with drugs and alcohol." You say that as if it's a bad thing.
Having spent the last several years working with the Curry County Drug Free Communities Coalition, I got to see up-close how the Oregon legislature encourages underage drinking and keeps taxes on alcohol related items at the lowest level in the country to encourage people to drink more booze while reducing or eliminating drug and alcohol prevention and treatment programs in favor of better roads so people can drink more and drive faster.
Drugs and alcohol, especially underage use, are devastating our community. In 2008, 36% of Curry County 8th grade girls and 31% of 8th grade boys have had alcohol in the last 30 days. 16% of girls and 11% of boys have been binge drinking in the last 30 days and 7% drank regularly before they turned 13. Furthermore, 30% of girls and 22% of boys best friends used marijuana in the past 12 months and 7% of girls and 6% of boys participated in a choking game. We also list lots of ways to have fun without alcohol.
You missed our third most popular topic on the web site - sex. You don't want to miss that since 10% of Curry County 8th grade girls and 25% of 8th grade boys have already had sexual intercourse and female college students nationwide drink more and have more sex while on Spring Break than guys. http://bit.ly/gixcvC
So Ralph, you keep looking
under rocks for all those commies. I'm totally comfortable with my
obsessions. Others might want to join me. Start at
http://bit.ly/faJLeI - Gordon
Clay