Local situations regarding violence, crime, drugs, and dangers to youth demand every South Bostonian’s immediate attention.  Are you going to be at the Crime Watch Meeting in the Boys & Girls Club at 6:30 p.m. this Thursday, February 16?  We all need each other’s help on this one.

     South Boston Online rarely starts an editorial on Page One.  Only if it is critically important to our community, and then only if the editorial point is completely obvious, do we take this liberty.

We think it is vitally important that the concerned citizens of South Boston attend the next Crime Watch Meeting on February 16 at 6:30 p.m.  Our fondest hope is that the Boys & Girls Club (230 West Sixth Street) will be jam-packed to the rafters that evening.

     Several South Boston residents thought that the Convention Center was too remote for this year’s first Crime Watch Meeting in January.  Well, the individuals who are in charge of the Crime Watch Project listened to you and set this meeting up at the Boys & Girls Club.  The Club couldn’t be more central – it’s only four blocks from Perkins Square.

     The topic at this Crime Watch Meeting is “Drug and Alcohol Awareness”.  We may think we know about substance problems in South Boston, but do we really understand how much of an impact they truly have?

Consider that crystal meth is now the latest drug threat, and that it can be made from cough medicine.  Remember last fall, when a highly sophisticated, designer drug lab was busted over in Fort Point.  And think about the fact that many drugs now sell on the streets for around $4 per dose.  That’s cheaper than a six-pack and half the cost of a mixed drink. 

     It is difficult to admit to such problems, especially if you have kids, family members, or friends who are exposed to this danger.  Denial is the easy way out.

But make no mistake – South Boston and many of the City’s other neighborhoods have become “Drug of the Month Clubs”.

     Come and listen to the experts – dedicated professionals who deal with these issues every day – Judge Ziemian, who founded the Drug Court; John McGahan of the Cushing House and Andy Ward from the Collaborative; and drug enforcement personnel from the DEA and Area C.  Please read our article on this page for more details.

     And don’t think that South Boston Online is being pessimistic.  South Boston has made substantial progress, and will fight onward.  A “Southie time” filled a funding shortfall at the Gavin Foundation, which led to the Cushing House and a later addition for young women in recovery.  The Hope & Recovery Forums have been notable successes over the past two years.  Crime Watches from other Boston neighborhoods have been very successful – they even made their local real estate values go up! (please see our article on Page 3).  Last Saturday, a fundraising dance in honor of Darlene Sheehan to benefit the Edwina Martin House for mothers in recovery was an overwhelming success.  And (not so incidentally) it was a blast!

     We will resolve these problems.  We will win.  See you at the Boys & Girls Club on the 16th.  If you care, be there.