|
The relationship between drug abuse and homelessness in Southern California is indisputable. There are 80,000 homeless people in Los Angeles County, an estimated 50% of whom have alcohol or drug abuse problems. Some 75% of homeless youth in LA County abuse alcohol and smoke marijuana, 60% use "speed" (amphetamines or methamphetamine) and 41% use heroin. And even more alarming is the news that nearly one in five of these homeless youth support themselves by selling drugs.
The Church of Scientology of Los Angeles and a youth group they sponsor, the Drug-Free Marshals, are determined to do something about this.
 | | Thomas Rogers of the LAPD's Community Relations Section proudly sports the Drug-Free Marshals badge on his uniform. |
For five consecutive years, the Drug-Free Marshals have participated in the "Friends Serving Friends" Homeless Feed Day, Organized by the Brotherhood Crusade and Mothers in Action, two LA area community groups that focus on helping the homeless.
Mothers in Action is a non-profit organization, born out of the Los Angeles 1992 civil unrest and dedicated to "improving the quality of life for our children and our community." It is sponsored by the Brotherhood Crusade, a non-profit institution founded in 1968 to provide resources, support services and a voice of advocacy for underserved members of the community.
The Drug-Free Marshals is a grass-roots drug education and prevention group. It derives its name from the U.S. Marshals of the days of the Wild West, when citizens were sworn in as deputies to help keep the peace. This group swears in youth as Drug-Free Marshals and has them pledge to live drug-free lives and help their friends and families make the same commitment.
At last year's event, Mothers in Action invited the Marshals to the stage to have everyone participating in the event take their pledge. Among those who received their Drug-Free Marshals badges were L.A. County Sheriff, Lee Baca and Los Angeles Mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa. On seeing them back this year, Mayor Villaraigosa thanked the Church and the Drug-Free Marshals for once again participating in the event.
Volunteers from the Pacific American Volunteer Association all took the Drug-Free Marshals pledge this year and helped hand out the Marshals' drug education booklets to make sure everyone in attendance was provided with the truth about drugs.
 | | Volunteers helped raise awareness of the harmful effects of drugs at this year's "Friends Serving Friends" Homeless Feed Day. |
New Marshals sworn in this year also included Thomas Rogers of the LAPD's Community Relations Section, who proudly wore his new Drug-Free Marshals badge on his blue uniform.
Spread the News:
Vote for or comment on this story on Netscape:
If you like this story, press the up arrow below to vote for it on Reddit:
|
|
