Foreword

At Drug Free Teen Ltd, we are concerned citizens who want to address a serious and destructive problem that society hides its head from. The birth of "Drug Free Teen" came out of pure need - first as a website (www.drugfreeteen.org) and then as this book. Along with the book have come special website sections on the serious proliferation of steroid use by high school, college, and professional athletes today, as well as a curriculum for teachers using this book with their students.

I am a member of the biggest and the best police department in the world - New York. It was on the job that I conceived of the idea for Drug Free Teen.

I have worked many different assignments in NYC. These experiences made me realize the great need that parents and teens have regarding substance abuse education. They need an avenue that can help them. They need to talk straight to each other about alcohol and drug abuse.

I've personally seen the agonizing and often life-threatening effect that drugs and alcohol have on communities and families.

I've personally witnessed acts of violence and many deaths resulting from the use of drugs and alcohol. I've seen young, old, poor and rich, healthy and sick, educated and uneducated people fall prey. I've seen young girls sell themselves for drugs. I've had to remove young children from homes where alcohol and drug abuse made their lives unsafe. I've seen potential leaders and educators die on the street because of drugs or alcohol.

I've personally seen beautiful young people age, develop illnesses, and die in front of me because of these substances. Branded forever in my memory is the true story of a fifteen-year-old girl. Let's call her Nancy. She constantly stole to get her fix of drugs. I arrested Nancy several times within a year. I spoke to her about her drug problem. I showed her her own arms and legs with track marks oozing pus and blood. I took Nancy to the hospital, to rehab, and to counselors. I went to Nancy's father. I did all I could think of to try to help this young girl, who had arrived in the U.S. only two years before with her family, proud new residents of a country full of promise.

Until Nancy became involved with the law, no one knew of her problem. Not her father, not her friends, not her teachers. Finally, I went to her father again and showed him the deadly track marks, and Nancy went to a rehab program full time. I followed up with her father several times. He told me she was doing well and was clean and happy.

Six months went by and I hadn't heard from Nancy or her father. Then one night at one a.m., . . .