YOUNGSTOWN Anti-drug program to begin

The program will include a community computer lab and a police department substation.
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Mahoning County Chemical Dependency Program was to kick off its new Drug Elimination Program today at Homeless Solutions, 550 W. Chalmers Ave., behind the Salvation Army on Glenwood Avenue.
The Drug Elimination Program, funded with a $170,000 grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, will support programs generally in the Myrtle-Indianola-Glenwood avenues areas.
Tamron Smith, head of the program, said its goal is to promote safe, stable, drug-free neighborhoods.
Development: He said today's kickoff is to raise public awareness. The program was developed in collaboration with residents, housing management, law enforcement, Southside Weed and Seed Collaboration, Cleo-Mar Neighborhood Block Club and the community at large.
The drug elimination partnership will help neighborhoods of the South Side in their "war on drugs" by providing an enhanced police presence in the form of a police substation and a special prosecutor, Smith said.
Literacy: Also, he said the Southside Community Technology Center, with a state-of-the-art computer lab, will provide classes and activities and training aimed at computer literacy. Smith is hopeful the center will be open by Oct. 1.
The carnival-style kickoff was scheduled from noon to 4 p.m. in the parking lot behind the Salvation Army on Glenwood Avenue. Activities were to include rappers, DJs, dancers and gospel groups as well as games for kids and free food, Smith said.