[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 147 (Thursday, October 15, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2181]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


       HONORING THE ST. VINCENT COLLEGE DRUG PREVENTION PROJECTS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN P. MURTHA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 15, 1998

  Mr. MURTHA. Mr. Speaker, five years ago I came before the House to 
call attention to an innovative drug abuse prevention program in 
Pennsylvania that was celebrating fifteen years of success. While we as 
a Nation have by no means solved the problem of drug abuse among our 
young people, the young people of Southwestern Pennsylvania are far 
better off today than they would have been without that program at St. 
Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. So, today, I stand before you 
again to recognize and pay tribute to this wonderful program as it now 
celebrates its twentieth anniversary.
  In 1978, St. Vincent College joined with the Westmoreland County Drug 
and Alcohol Commission, the Latrobe Area Chamber of Commerce, and area 
school districts to develop a primary prevention education program. St. 
Vincent continued the sponsorship of the program as a community service 
project which provides education and other prevention services in all 
17 public school districts in Westmoreland County as well as school 
districts in surrounding counties.
  We will continue to fight to stop the flow of drugs into our country. 
But we can't focus only on stopping supply; we have to focus on 
stopping the demand, within our own country, among our young people who 
are vulnerable to the daunting pressures of social and economic factors 
and the predatory tactics of the suppliers. Prevention of a young 
person from ever trying drugs is the best way to reduce the demand. 
That is done through education, and that is what the program at St. 
Vincent College does very well. It set out to make a difference and it 
has made a difference.
  I am proud to salute the many people who have worked at this for 
twenty years and who continue to reach out to these young people and 
help to understand the importance of avoiding drugs. I hope they see 
their triumph reflected in the face of every happy healthy young person 
and look forward to celebrating with them many more anniversaries of 
success in the fight against drugs.




                          ____________________