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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 11, 2004)
B lack H istory M onth February II. 2 00 4 Page A7 Note: All letters this week are from inmates. Oregon drugs are smuggled into the jail, but nowhere near the street level ca pacity. Over the next 3 years, focus, pray and meditate on being drug free. Those cravings are nothing but Satan trying to discourage you. Open your mouth that smoked co caine and ask the Lord to deliver you from that evil. Ask in His name in faith and it shall be done. Every one that’s reading your story, will now have you in prayer. Dear Deanna! We Fail When Alcohol Àds Reach Kids Kids see and hear it everywhere— on televi and 3.3 hours reading magazines for pleasure. sion, billboards and in magazines, and they hear We know in Oregon that one out of four 8th- a lot of it on the radio. grade students, and almost half of 11 th-grade I'm talking about alcohol advertising. And a students, report that they consumed alcohol in new study released in January shows that, per the past 30 days, and that alcohol use contributes capita, youth continue to hear more alcohol ad to the three leading causes of death among youth: vertising on the radio than adults over age 21. suicide, homicide, and unintentional injuries. In a study of 104 radio markets conducted be Studies also show that alcohol advertising is tween June 15 and July 31, 2003, the Center on one factor that can influence a youth's decision Alcohol Marketing and Youth found that in 92 of to drink. The Federal Trade Commission, in a 1999 those markets— including Portland—youth ages report on alcohol advertising, acknowledged that, 12-20 heard more alcohol adver “While many factors may influ tising percapi ta than adults over ence an underage p e rso n ’s age 21, measured by gross rat drinking decisions, including ing points. among other things parents, Furtherm ore, the center peers and the media, there is found that more than a quarter reason to believe that advertis o f the radio alcohol advertis ing also plays a role.” ing in this analysis was aired A survey of parents con when underage youth com - Ken Ray, Oregon Partnership ducted for the center last sum prised more than 30 percent of mer also shows that two-thirds the listening audience. This exceeds new limits o f parents believe that exposure to alcohol ads established in voluntary advertising guidelines makes kids more likely to drink alcohol. The same by the Beer Institute and the Distilled Spirits study also showed that three-quarters of parents Council, the country’s two largest alcohol indus believe that alcohol companies do not do enough try trade associations. to limit the amount of their advertising that reaches The bottom line here is that the alcohol indus youth. try will need to drastically reform its radio adver Reducing underage drinking is a collective tising practices to comply with their new market responsibility. That means we all play a part— ing guidelines and reduce the exposure of under parents, educators, and law enforcement as well age youth. as the alcohol industry. Reducing the amount of Youth overexposure to alcohol advertising on alcohol advertising in youth-oriented media and the radio is a significant concern. During a given sharing our concerns about the prevalence of week, the average U.S. teenager ages 12-17 listens alcohol advertising with local broadcasters and to 13.5 hours of radio, compared with 10.6 hours regulators are important steps that can make a big spent watching television, 7.6 hours spent online, difference in the lives and welfare of our youth. Overexposure to alcohol advertising on the radio is a significant concern. m M M NM M HN ■■■MMIMNaM Leader Fought for Labor Rights Documentary celebrates Black History Month The video “A. Philip Randolph: Porters, and united other organiz For Jobs and Freedom,” will cel ers in the civil rights movement for ebrate Black History Month at the the historic 1963 March on Wash Bread and Roses Center, 819 N. ington. Killingsworth. A discussion will follow the video This documentary chronicles the showing on Saturday, Feb. 21 at 7 courageous and militant leadership p.m. The event is open to the public. of A. Philip Randolph in the labor A Southern buffet, with vegetarian and civil rights movement to ad options, will be served at 6 p.m. for vance the rights of African-Ameri Philip Randolph a $7 donation. can workers. The Bread and Roses Center is Randolph co-founded tf\e socialist newspaper located a half block west of North Albina Avenue The Messenger, fought the Pu 11 man rai I way com on North Killingsworth Street on bus lines #4 and pany to win union recognition and a historic #72. To arrange childcare, rides, work exchanges contract for the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car orform ore information call 503-240-4462. Me and my partner were dealing drugs but when we got caught, the police claim I had the dope. My partner threw the crack out of the window and we tried to run. The police say they found it in my pocket. My homeboy testified against me and now llm doing all these years. It's killing me. -B ig G .; Central Corrections Facility (McCloud, OK) Dear Big G. Thank God those officers didn’t shoot you in the back as you were running. If you were dealing with dope you deserved to be caught and punished. When it comes to drugs, your flesh and blood will turn on you in a second if they can get out of the drama. Since police brutality has been on the rise, patrol cars have cameras and your incident should have been recorded. Drop to your knees in prayer and use your jail time to think and plan to be a better person when you're released. Dear Deanna! I’m serving 20 years for numerous crimes. It's hard in prison when no one tries to encourage you or give you hope. I ’ m look ing for a female to start a relationship with and help pass the time until I get out in 2014. —M.K.T.; Raleigh M en's Prison (Raleigh, NC) Real People, Real Advice An advice column known fo r its fearless approach to reality hosed subjects.' Ask Deanna is written by Deanna M. Write Ask Deanna! Email: a s k d e a n n a l @ya h o o .c o m or write: Deanna M. P.O. B ox88847, Los Angeles, G4 90009. Website: www. askdeanna. com la m w i & C h o c o la te s : F o o lp ro o f. Dear M.K.T. instead of a relationship, get your degree and prepare yourself to come back to so ciety as an honest educated man. The employment sector still discrim inates against ex-cons. With a criminal record and no education, you’ll set yourself up for a low paying job that’ll force you back to the streets. Use the system and get a slamming for a degree so when you’re released, you’ll be an educated man on a mission. Dear Deanna! I’ve been in prison for 5 years and I have 3 more to go. Since I’ve been incarcerated, Jesus has been my Lord and Savior. I'm trying to serve him as best I can since I’m in jail. Hard drugs have been a part of my life for 25 years and when I’m alone, my mind goes back to those days. I’m a 47 year old man and when I get out, I don't want to go back on drugs. Please pray for me if you can. -K .E .; Solano State Prison (Vacaville, CA) The diam ond heart pendant, set in U K yellow or while gold, comes with a free box of Sentile Chocolates, perieel to r concealing jewelry Dear K.E. You may not see it now, but prison is the best place for you to dry out. I’m sure Dqwntown Portland SW 5th Ave & Yamhill (503) 295 2800, Lloyd Center (503) 249 8373 W ashington Square (503) 620-8452, Clackamas Town Center (503) 65 3-7797 benbridge com W ELLS FARGO The Next Stage* Colonel Roberts' service record is a credit to the country and the community. In the spirit of Black History, Wells Fargo honors Colonel George "Spanky" Roberts. His impressive m ilitary career began as a Tuskegee Airman and he was one of the first African American pilots to fly in the U.S. Army Air Corps. During WWII, Colonel Roberts fought in North Africa and Italy, flew over 100 combat missions and commanded the 99th Fighter Squadron. After his distinguished military career, he continued to serve his com m unity as a Wells Fargo credit officer. Wells Fargo salutes Colonel Roberts'commitment to helping people reach the next stage of success. Wells Fargo honors Black History. € 2003 Wells Fargo Banks. All rights reserved. Members FDIC w e lls fa rg o .c o m
