MAYOR GIULIANI WELCOMES CLERGY'S ASSISTANCE IN CITY'S EFFORTS TO COMBAT DRUG ABUSE
"New York City is a far different place today than it was just four short years ago," Mayor Giuliani said. "We have reduced crime by record numbers, jobs are returning to the City, reading and math scores are improving, and we have once again restored a sense of optimism to our great City. But we chance losing these gains if we fail to address the problem of drug abuse."
The Mayor added, "As leaders of New York City's religious community, you understand the problems faced by young people in your communities and you know, first-hand, what works and what doesn't work to help solve these problems. You are an integral part of our City's social and spiritual fabric. And that is why we need your help, your ideas and your commitment as we all work together to eradicate drug use in our City.
"I ask you today to join with us -- to join with the police, with educators, with health professionals, with parents and other community leaders -- as partners in our fight against drugs -- really, our fight for the future of this City," Mayor Giuliani concluded.
Clergy Anti-Drug Initiative
- At today's conference, the Mayor invited religious leaders to complete a questionnaire concerning successful anti-drug programs they have implemented in their communities. The information will be compiled by the Department of Mental Health, Retardation and Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services and the results will be shared with conference participants.
- Because BEACON schools have such positive influence on the lives of young people, the Mayor invited the clergy to play a larger role on BEACON School Advisory Councils. He commended those already involved.
- Recognizing the benefits of building and nurturing the already constructive relationships between police and clergy, the Mayor has asked that Police Commissioner Howard Safir direct each of the City's precinct commanders to meet with local religious leaders in November to describe services available at the precinct level to address drug use. Each precinct commander will hold similar monthly meetings thereafter.
- The Mayor has also made available to the clergy technical assistance from the Department of Mental Health and the 1-800-LIFENET referral Hotline, as well as from officers specially trained in the DARE (Drug Awareness Resistance Education) curriculum who will be available to discuss the successful educational techniques employed in the program.
- Mayor Giuliani announced that beginning in November, he will meet with religious leaders on a borough-by-borough basis each month. In April -- National Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Month -- the Mayor will convene an ecumenical forum to reflect on the progress made to reduce drugs in our neighborhoods and schools, and to reinvigorate the long-term programs to make New York City the leading city for drug reduction in America.
Highlights of the plan include a 24 percent increase in BEACON schools; the expansion of drug and gang-resistance education programs in public schools; an increase in drug-free schools zones (from 40 to 100); the doubling of the City's Safe Corridor Program, from 120 to 240 schools, which provides extra police protection for children as they travel to and from schools; a 50 percent increase in substance abuse treatment services provided in City jails; an increase in outpatient and residential treatment programs for substance abusing probationers; the establishment of a Manhattan Drug Court; and the re-doubling of law enforcement efforts including designating Washington Square Park as a Drug-Free Zone, the expanding of drug initiatives to Southeast Queens and the South Bronx and creating of a special Hotline for citizens to report drug activity in their neighborhoods (1-888-374-DRUG).
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