Don’t Ignore

The Needs Of Teens

To the Editor:

The Newtown Prevention Council’s recent survey gave stats and advice that recreation sites help fight substance abuse. Why are we getting another baseball field? They aren’t heeding their own advice. Ball field cost: $522,000, demolition: $388,000. Our teens are in trouble. The police blotter shows it. They are victims of neglect by our town government. They said substance abuse should be our first priority.

Parents allow their middle schoolers to walk after school because there’s safety in public. Teens require a place to gather with friends. The town center problem isn’t as bad as described. Most kids behave.

Parents have rules and teach kids it’s a privilege they could lose. These are 13- and 14-year-olds who will be driving in two or three years. They’re residents. It’s their right to walk to the stores.

The Teen Center is inadequate, and was a gift. Our government didn’t provide it! Will all our teens rush to play baseball after school? What about girls? The risks are real.

There’s no excuse why such simple needs are being ignored. Residents combined with the government can create something like Six Flags. What’s being done to draw teens’ interests to positive fun? Look on the web on how and why to meet their needs. This specific problem requires specific action. The misconduct we see is a red flag warning us to do what’s right. Recreation sites aren’t a guarantee. Doing nothing is shameful. Teens aren’t bad. They are in a bad situation.

Lives are at stake, not home runs! Communities all around don’t question it takes an army to help fight the risks their teens face. Ours are in the middle of a battlefield unarmed. Educating kids about substance abuse isn’t the only answer. Free time with choices on how to spend it is the issue! Residents are voicing their concern in The Bee. Parents, please don’t get in the trap thinking your child couldn’t be at risk. No one is completely immune. Adolescence is a confusing time. Look at the prevention survey on the web.

If the town won’t help us then we should start trying ourselves. They may take forever. Am I seeing this clearly? We can change this problem. If you see what I see as a way to show it, make a small red flag. Tape it inside your front, passenger windshield, discrete but enough to notice. Isn’t it true we need to shield our vulnerable passengers? Our most valuable treasure? An agreement must be made between all of us. It won’t be hard but we do need the money to do it. TLC goes a long way. (This is not a criticism about baseball; the money going first for a field before teens needs is.) Maybe officials will step up to the plate ? If not, we can. We’ll know we did what’s right.

Sincerely,

Lori Capozziello

123 Toddy Hill Road, Sandy Hook                                  May 23, 2007