War Against Drugs Taken to Schools
Sheriff Brad Gates took his anti-drug campaign to the schools Monday, telling 150 high school student body presidents, principals and administrators that he needs their help in changing the public’s attitude on narcotics.
“We need your help, we have an epidemic” of drug use in the county, Gates told the 90-minute session in the county Hall of Administration in Santa Ana.
“It’s across the board,” he said, referring to the drug problem. “Every day someone dies from an overdose of drugs in the county. Every 2 1/2 days someone dies from an overdose of cocaine--every 2 1/2 days.”
Appearing with Gates was Supervisor Gaddi H. Vasquez, a former Orange police officer, who calleddrug abuse a “form of social terrorism.”
Gates stressed to the students that it is up to them and their generation to change attitudes toward drugs and said he wanted to meet with them again to get their suggestions for ways to proceed.
“I have to admit to you that my generation has failed all of you,” the 48-year-old sheriff said. “We have not found a way to stop drugs.”
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