Four community groups have been formed to arm parents with what signs to look for and what to do to steer their children away from drugs and gangs. They are the Supporting Eastern Loudoun Families (SELF) coalition, the Western Loudoun Coalition (COPE), the Ashburn Drug & Violence Avoidance Network for Community Education (ADVANCE) and the Leesburg Uniting Community & Youth (LUCY).
"When we prevent substance abuse, we might prevent gang involvement," said Sharon McGroder, co-chair of SELF.
Janet Clark, chair of the Western Loudoun Coalition (COPE), said, "A lot of this is educating the community, both the parents and the youth."
The YMCA is working with children and teenagers, while its executive director, Wendall Fisher, is working with parents. The county Department of Parks and Recreation has lined up activities to keep youth out of trouble.
"Boredom is the number one reason kids say they use drugs," said Allyne Zappalla, one of four substance abuse prevention specialists in the county school system. The specialists are working with 100 groups of students at the eight high schools. The specialists also are participating in community forums to educate parents.
Scott York, chairman of the Board of Supervisors, has called for a regional meeting of officials so they can coordinate their fight against gangs. "This issue touches all districts," he said. He said a collaborative effort is needed to rid the area of the "scourge."
Supervisor Stephen Snow (R-Dulles) told the board that a meeting has been scheduled in early June to put together a proactive youth-oriented program. "I'm highly concerned about the recent gang incidents that have occurred in Fairfax and Herndon and the potential spillover into our county," he said. He is looking at preventative measures such as involving young people in activities, such as spending time on a farm. "This is the kind of thing we have to do to get our adults involved too," he said.
"Clearly the gang incidents and the shooting incidents are huge signals, and we have to take action," he said.
The educators and groups have a number of recommendations to help parents win the fight against drugs and gangs:
* Talk to your children about drugs and gangs in a non-judgmental and non-accusatory way.
* Establish rules and enforce them.
* Get them involved in activities and exercise.
* Know where your children are.
* Know their friends and their friends' parents.
* Set a good example.
* Do not host teen parties with alcohol, with the idea they are safer than going off to drink on their own.
* Monitor your children's Internet paths to see if they are going to sites that provide tips on different ways to "safely" take drugs.
* When listening to your child, pay attention and don't interrupt.
* Don't prepare what you will say while your child is speaking.
* Reserve judgment until your child has finished and has asked you for a response.
* Acknowledge what the child is saying.
* Don't offer advice in response to every statement your child makes.