8 ~ Friday, October 5, 1990 - North Shore News MAILBOX Mean Streets feature ‘superficiai’ Dear Fditor: I am deeply concerned with News writer Michael Becker’s nar- row and superficial coverage of the lives of 10,000 North Shore youth, The Mean streets feature in the Sept. 21 ind 23 paper were typical of the community’s perception of local youth ‘‘prob- lems”’ often characterized in a few words: gangs, youth violence, drugs. Sadly, the greater problems af- flicting youth have not been brought out into the open. The lack of power North Shore youths have in determining what they do after school hours and at night is the real issue. We are kept distant from the bureaucrats’ offices and deci- sion-making processes that deter- mine what services are provided for us. It is absurd to believe that young people live for gangs and drugs — these just so happen to be the best things happening! But, are youth actually sup- ported by the community in creating alternatives? No, current- ly youth are not supported. Sterile community centres, skating rinks, and swimming pools will not alter this situation, nor will more police and heightened drug paranoia. New programs like the Norih Shore Christian Centre’s moralistic ‘‘North Shore Youth Say No To Drugs’’ campaign give the impression that we will all be happy and won’t have problems if we stay away from drugs. This is the typical narrow focus given to youth issues. What more youth are demand- ing is access to youth-run drop-in centres and frequent community all-ages dances. Youth-organized events can bring large groups of ‘Teenagers need praise Dear Editor: What Lloyd W. Blazs in his Sept. 19 letter described regarding the injury of a mother raccoon and her baby, and a few teenagers’ response to it, was in- deed horrifying. As a mother of a teenager, who is herself appalled by such a hap- pening, | take umbrage with his question, ‘‘Do teens of North Vancouver have a regular hobby of dismembering and destroying the gift of nature?”’ I live in a community where 1 see parents devoting a tremendous amount of time and energy to the upbringing of their children. Many teenagers are concerned with our environment, wildlife and social issues. | feel it is very unfair to tar all teenagers with the same brush. Let us give our young people confidence that we believe in them, and that the world will be a better place in their hands — all our futures depend on it. Sign me: Proud to be a mother of a North Vancouver teenager. Andrea Fecko North Vancouver Mailbox policy WHEN SENDING a letter to the editor, be sure to include your name, written legibly, your full address and your telephone number, Due to space constraints we cannot publish all the letters we receive. Published letters may be edited for brevity, clarity, accura- cy, legality or taste. in North Vancouver, North Shore youth will share one of the first opportunities to learn and orga- nize around issues which are im- portant to us. YOUTHSPEAK ‘90, a con- ference focusing on focal youth issues, is being assisted by focal municipalities and the North Shore Union Boxud of Health. What is so desperately needed is teenagers together in) a positive, alcohol-free space. When the dust settles, no municipal funds are earmarked for creative new youth services, just an addition of funds so they can miraculously ‘get kids off the streets.”” Not to say there is no hope. On Oct. 19-20 at Queen Mary Com- munity School, at 230 West Keith Buy one of our incredible 2 bedroom view suites at THE OBSERVATORY Now! And you will get more than the best of location, design, finishing. and price. Receive $1,000." cash every month from the day you buy until Feb 1992! Guaranteed! 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