Homer Alaska - Letters

If I didn't have a teenager or friends with teenagers, I wouldn't know one thing about what goes on in this community when it comes to the drug problem. Drugs seem to be everywhere and we most likely won't stop it. As a parent, you can only hope and pray that what you teach your child will stick with them and they will do well in their life. You teach them right from wrong, what is good and bad and hopefully some manners along the way. What they choose to do with that as an adult is their choice.

Do you know where your child is or who their friends are? Who they are e-mailing and texting and the web sites they are surfing? You should if you don't. My kids can have all the privacy they want when they move out of my house. Don't be "too busy" or say "my child wouldn't do that." They need to be taught there are consequences for their actions. Don't depend on their teacher, the football coach or the bus driver to teach them what is your responsibility.

Drugs in Homer are not just about marijuana, but prescriptions such as oxys, heart pills, heroin, meth and the latest, girls soaking their tampons in vodka to get drunk. The choking game is a drug-free activity and has a consequence of death when played alone. You can Google this and you'll be shocked to know you can find out how to play.

If you are a parent and do drugs with your child, stop. If you know what your child is doing, don't play stupid. This is happening in Homer and it will only get worse if we don't come together and fight this. From what I've seen, our local law enforcement isn't stepping up. A local policeman told a friend of mine that "they are too busy" when asked what it was going to take to get these kids from dealing in our backyards.

I've witnessed drug activities at Karen Hornaday Park, Bishop's Beach and Pudgy's parking lot. I've been in a local establishment where people were smoking marijuana on the back deck. I've seen one known dealer here that drove around a brand new, expensive truck and owns a house. He's 20-21 years old, his parents didn't buy it for him and he doesn't work. It's not rocket science.

These kids and/or adults are committing crimes and I don't understand why the police aren't taking action. I want to feel safe here and know that the local law enforcement is taking action on the individuals who are dealing the drugs to our kids.

Jill Hockema