Drugs are the problem and STEP-Up Tamaqua is the answer.

The volunteer group formed in March wants to take back the streets and protect the youth of the community.Their approach is simple: Support, Treatment, Enforcement and Prevention, or STEP. And since drugs are a downer, the only place to go is Up.Small groups of concerned residents are focusing on reaching every demographic: community-based organizations, health care providers, businesses, recreation venues, schools, parents, youth and faith communities.Serving as consultant is Diane Rowland of the Schuylkill Alcohol and Drug Agency, a key STEP-Up partner.But there are many partners, as diverse as the community itself. Everybody is welcome to join in.Drugs don't discriminate, and neither does the fight to overcome.STEP-Up Tamaqua is sponsored by the Tamaqua Area Faith Fellowship Network under the umbrella of the Tamaqua Area Community Partnership, and ambitions are high.The group hopes to establish Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous groups in Tamaqua, share testimony on Skook Recovers, create sober events, support the concept of a county drug court and work with adult probation to create life skills classes.The group is reaching out to the community with dialogue from events such as a public forum to encourage dialogue, and even a comedy night at the Tamaqua Community Art Center.Why a comedy night for something as serious as drugs?"Humans all struggle at some points during their lives. Once you find the humor within the pain, you realize you can survive it," says Liz Russo, a recovering alcoholic who bravely uses her own imperfections to create comedy material to motivate others.If such an approach seems unconventional, there's a reason.Drug addiction is taking young adults in an unconventional way.This year alone, 45 young residents of Schuylkill County have perished from drugs, and there are still four months left in the year for that tragic toll to rise.Another initiative, "Safe Streets for Tamaqua's Little Feets," is a new nonprofit aimed at spreading awareness and taking back the town, step by step.The group wants to show all those affected by drugs where to find the help they need to overcome.They already turned heads in a positive way during their recent candlelight walk on a rainy, dark night in which close to 300 showed they're ready for the challenge.Of course, looking at the problem regionally or nationally is important as well.Let's face it, Tamaqua isn't the only community with a drug problem. Drugs are everywhere.But residents of Tamaqua have jumped into the ring and have begun to fight.They realize it's time to do something about drug addiction, and it's more realistic, efficient and practical to begin at a local level.The people of Tamaqua are determined to drive drugs out of town and save their youth.If other towns in the region do the same, illegal drugs don't stand a chance.By Donald R. Serfass |

dserfass@tnonline.com