[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4061]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO THE LEE COUNTY COALITION FOR A DRUG-FREE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. CONNIE MACK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 12, 2008

  Mr. MACK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Lee County 
Coalition for a Drug-Free Southwest Florida for spreading awareness 
about the dangers of drug use and underage drinking at its second 
annual Drug House Odyssey. Over 10 community agencies have partnered 
with the Coalition to infirm children, teenagers and parents about 
substance abuse at this year's event. Last year's Drug House Odyssey 
attracted over 3,000 students, teachers, and parents, and I'm confident 
that this year's event in Cape Coral will be an even bigger success.
  For nearly 20 years, the Lee County Coalition has educated tons of 
thousands of students in Southwest Florida about substance abuse. From 
school visits to conferences, community celebrations to professional 
counselor training, the Lee County Coalition has been empowering 
teenagers and families to make the right choices about drug and alcohol 
use. Their work is just a vital part of what makes Southwest Florida a 
great place to live, work and visit.
  The focus of the Lee County Coalition's annual Drug House Odyssey is 
prevention: teaching children and teenagers about the dangers of drugs 
and alcohol and encouraging them to make smart decisions about their 
health. It's appropriate that this year's event will be held during 
National Alcohol Awareness Month. The facts are staggering: according 
to a recent Florida Youth Substance Abuse survey, over 35 percent of 
teenagers in Lee County have reported using alcohol in the last 30 
days; nationally, the average is 16 percent.
  That's why the good work that the Lee County Coalition performs every 
day to help children and teenagers make smart decisions about drugs and 
alcohol is so important, and why I ardently support their mission.
  Madam Speaker, it is an honor and a privilege to represent the staff 
and volunteers of the Lee County Coalition for a Drug-Free Southwest 
Florida in Congress, and I wish them all the best at their second 
annual Drug House Odyssey.

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