OPINION&LETTERS Page A4 • October 20, 2016 • Inland Empire Community Newspapers
By Anthony Victoria
Getting drunk is NOT cool
A study done by the County of San Bernardino in 2012 demonstrated that 22-percent of adolescents in the region said they believed occasionally getting drunk was alright, as long as it did not interfere with work, school, or other day-to-day responsibilities. But why should researchers even pose such a question to teenagers and young adults? I will tell you: because we are seeing more and more teenagers drinking, as well as using other substances around school campuses, neighborhood parks, alleys, and other hideouts. This is demonstrated in staggering statistics that can be found on numerous abuse center organization websites. According to the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, seven percent of new female drinkers were under the age of 14. Today, the figure is at 31 percent. The World Health Organization's Program on Substance Abuse points out that 10 to 30 million children worldwide are orphaned and must support themselves by working, begging, stealing, selling sex and trafficking illicit substances. Estimates say that up to 90 percent of these street children use substances of one kind or another. According to a survey conducted by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse one in four American teens said they had a friend or classmate who had used Ecstasy, while 17 percent said they knew more than one user. The figures don’t lie. Our community continues to lose young people to the chains of the local prison system and to early graves due to the effects of substance abuse. Of the 30.7-percent of teenagers who admitted to drinking or using other drugs, how many have been incarcerated, received treatment, or are now lying six-feet deep in the ground?
This issue is one that has hit too close to home. In late 2012 a friend of mine lost her life as she was driving on the freeway after colliding with another vehicle. Her decision to drink and drive and get behind the wheel resulted in her tragic death at the tender age of 20. She left behind friends, family, and a little boy. At the beginning of that same year, I was with a friend, getting intoxicated at a nearby park. I didn’t realize I may have been at the cusp of losing my education and my job--the things I value in life. After being told by a police officer to step out of the vehicle and being frisked, we were told to sit down. I realize, that at least I was not helping out the situation by consuming alcohol with her. And yet, many young ones also find themselves with others who enable instead of help. That is why it is essential that groups such as the Colton, Rialto, and Bloomington Community Coalitions for Change and the Mental Health Systems (MHS) nonprofit organization are contributing to curbing drug and alcohol usage among teenagers and young adults. Since 2010, the Coalition for CHANGE has partnered with residents, community organizers, city officials, and law enforcement to address the issues of alcohol and drug use. Leaders like MHS’ Mirza Martinez-Andrade have witnessed tragedy and have grown frustrated of seeing young people lose their lives. The Under-21 Think-O-NoDrink-O campaign and MHS’ push to convince the Colton City Council to pass the social host ordinance have provided essential steps that has seen a change in culture in recent months. “It was very difficult at first because people didn’t understand the ordinance,” Martinez expressed. “The activities and resources we offer have helped attract more interest. People didn’t want to get near us and now we have lines of residents waiting to participate.” As a journalist, I am proud to cover the work of organizations that are continuously fighting for helping better the lives of our residents and young ones. I like to believe I have bounced back resoundingly from that l experience in 2012. No, I can say ‘getting drunk’ is not cool. My job allows me to shed light on these issues-also in the hope of helping of save lives.
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Vote Yes on Measure L
The San Bernardino City Charter, which determines the structure and functioning of city government, is ancient, outmoded, obsolete and hung like an anchor around taxpayers' necks for much too long. The Charter has been identified as one of the key factors contributing to the city's bankruptcy. We have the distinction of proportionally competing with Detroit for poverty. Our city is considered one of the most violent, for it's size, in California. The social and economic decline in San Bernardino did not suddenly sneak up unexpectedly from nowhere. There are reasons
why San Bernardino has fared such economic decline and diminished quality of life while surrounding municipalities have not. Ironically, we are being warned by political icons from yesteryear, like former (elected) city attorney Jim Penman, and former mayor Judith Valles, that if we pass Measure L and do away with the old charter, San Bernardino taxpayers will lose their ability to hold local politicians accountable and lose the "direct election of watchdog city officials" (The Sun, 9-25-16). One of the problems under the old charter is that the watchdogs
were not accountable to the taxpayers but actually more beholden to the public employee unions. Keeping the old charter and expecting a different and better outcome brings to mind a Latin saying: Res Ipsa Loquitur. The thing speaks for itself. Vote for change. Vote yes for Measure L
Bob Morales San Bernardino, CA
Concerned Citizen
I am a concerned citizen of district 6 in the city of Colton. I am very dismayed about the upcoming election, in which three former council members are trying to get back into office. The three candidates trying to return are: Kelly Chastain district 3, John Mitchell district 5 and Sarah Zamora district 6. They were soundly defeated out of office. Let's not bring them back. At one time or another when they were in office the city
was in the dark ages with corruption, distrust, fighting among other members and driving this city to near bankruptcy. The incumbents have fought hard to move us away from that with great success. They may have different points of view on some topics, but they worked things out together and come up with solutions that are best for Colton. Citizens of Colton please get out and vote to keep Frank
Navarro district 3, Isaac Such district 6 and newcomer Bruce Bennett district 5. We cannot afford to return to the bad days. We want to continue to move forward as this seated council has done. Rachel Warner Colton, Ca.
Smoking should be banned outdoors, in public places
Last week, the governor vetoed two bills to ban smoking at state parks and beaches, as well as community colleges and Cal State University campuses. Both bills would have improved public health for all, especially our children.
Medical professionals have long stated that there is no safe exposure to secondhand smoke.
It’s dangerous and deadly. That’s why local volunteers for the American Lung Association in California will continue to fight to make sure residents throughout the Inland Empire can enjoy the places they live, work and play without having to worry about being exposed to harmful secondhand smoke.
brated in Rialto with the passage of a smoke-free parks policy and something that has overwhelming support of the public because it’s good for the future of public health in our communities. Judy Roberts Rialto, CA
IECNInland Empire Community Newspapers E-mail us your opinions, (909) 381-9898 • FAX 384-0406 Letters are printed in the order they are received and are subject to editing for clarity. photos, announcements Deadline is Tuesdays at noon. Readers may also submit their perspectives online at iecn1@mac.com • For advertising inquiries email sales@iecn.com to iecn1@mac.com. Letters limited to RIALTO RECORD Weekly 500 words. www.iecn.com Mailing Address: P.O. Box 110, Colton, CA 92324 • Office Location: 1809 Commercenter West, San Bernardino, CA 92408
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