LIFESTYLE CONFERENCE TACKLES SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Many may regard substance abuse particularly among young people as a problem more at home in an urban environment, where unsupervised, street-wise kids have temptations closer at hand. In fact, young people in rural settings face the same forbidden lures, whether in a country road beer party or a marijuana cigarette shared after school. More dangerous drugs also find their way to small towns. The problem is a significant one, and an event in Cape Girardeau today and Friday intends to examine it. We compliment organizers of the Healthy Lifestyles Conference for making substance abuse this year's subject.

This topic may be more timely than ever in this community, given a crackdown on known drug-selling areas and the high visibility of the problem sparked by a run of drug-related arrests. The conference, now in its sixth year, has as a goal to set in context the resources and methods through which substance abuse can be reduced among "high risk" youth in non-urban areas. As part of this, various programs that effectively engender substance abuse prevention will be given a due spotlight. While cases of youth in trouble may capture a lot of attention, many programs are successful in steering young people clear of trouble they can find with drugs and alcohol; recognition of those endeavors is appropriate.

A highlight of the conference, and a bright stroke in planning the event, will be tonight's anti-drug rally at the Show Me Center. This four-hour event will embrace not only the conference attendees but the entire community. Included will be motivational speeches, music, anti-drug skits by high school students, drawings for prizes and a variety of other activities. As a symbol of the rally, and a statement that will live long after the conference has ended, there will be the signing of an "Emancipation Proclamation II," a scroll of commitment to drug-free living. Those who fear drugs are taking over our society might be heartened attending this rally and participating in a large gathering with a clear and vocal opposition to substance abuse.

Dozens of people deserve credit for putting together this conference, which will include expert speakers from as far away as Colorado and Michigan and as close to home as Cape Girardeau. What will make this conference a success, however, is the involvement of local and regional citizens who believe the goal of keeping young people from delving into drugs and alcohol is an attainable one. People and programs are making a difference in this regard, and we are pleased many of them are being brought together in one place.