[Winona Online Democracy]
I'd like revisit the Drug & Alcholhol issue for abit. Particularly the
'front-end' aspect of the problem for Winona's youth. It would seem to me
that sustance abuse, like other youth related crimes, can many times be
traced to 'idle hands.' I agree that the only dependable activity for kids
in their late teens is Rock Solid.
When I was growing up in Winona, there were at least five very entertaining
choices for 16-20 year olds on Friday or Saturday night. There was the
Speak Easy in the basement of the Exchange Building, the Asylum on Main
Street (now a Thrifty White), the Cotter Rec (on Center), the YWCA, and the
YMCA. All provided live music (the Ferraris, the New World Congregation,
etc.), plenty of mingling, and refreshments in an alcohhol free environment.
And this assumes their wasn't something going on at one of the High Schools
or Colleges.
My instinct is always to look for a free market solution to social,
political, or environmental problems. I would look to a local entrepenuer
to consider opening a club for kids. If disposable income is available to
kids for contraband, it must be available for more wholesome recreation. As
mentioned by others, a minimal cover charge ($3-$5 a head) could be
accessed. That would help with expenses and perhaps provide a DJ on
weekends (jukebox during the week). Throw in a few vending machines and
tables & chairs and you've got a nightclub. Some of the current bar owners
in Winona have spurious reputations. Perhaps they would like to help by
providing one weeknight and one weekend night per month as alcohol free for
the 16 -20 year olds (over 20 if they'd like to join in). In fact, I can
envision tremendous competion developing in these venues.
Looking for a solution, or even help, from government agencies should be a
secondary consideration. The schools have their hands full during the day.
The United Way or other charitable organizations always seem to have more
important problems to face and fund. I believe that, as crass as it sounds,
if someone were in this to make a buck...it just might work out for
everyone. It sometimes does.
gene
----- Original Message -----
From: "Cherisa Templeton" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Cc: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Friday, September 08, 2000 9:33 AM
Subject: Re: [Winona] drug & alcohol prevention
> [Winona Online Democracy]
>
>
> This community has a wonderful ECFE- Early Childhood Family Education
> program that has a mission to serve parents of pre-school children. The
> classes and teachers have benefitted hundreds of parents in this town.
I'd
> like to see it continue through the teenage years when I think parents
need
> it even more. Our city does have an occasional parenting teens class,
> perhaps through Community Ed., but nothing like the ECFE program.
>
> Cherisa Templeton
> >
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