MIDDLETOWN — This city could become Greater Cincinnati's 18th community to form a group dedicated to keeping its youth drug-free.

        An organizational meeting for a Coalition for a Drug Free Middletown is scheduled for 7 p.m., today in the city commission chambers, One Donham Plaza.

        Rhonda Ramsey-Molina, director of the Coalition for a Drug Free Greater Cincinnati, will speak with parents, elected officials, school representatives, business leaders and others about forming a Middletown coalition.

        “The first thing to do is understand the issue on the local level,” said Ms. Ramsey-Molina. "You have to examine what is (Middletown's) issue. What we're looking for are those unwritten messages that say it's OK to use, even if our words say it isn't.”

        A spring survey of 47,256 Greater Cincinnati students in grades 7-12 — more than half the students of that age in the region — showed that alcohol, cigarettes and marijuana are the drugs of choice, Ms. Ramsey-Molina said.

        Half of seniors and 11 percent of seventh-graders said they were regular users of alcohol; 36 percent of seniors and 9 percent of sev enth-graders smoke cigarettes; and 24 percent of seniors and 6 percent of seventh-graders use marijuana, according to survey results.

        “It takes a community to create a safe and drug free environment for everyone,” Ms. Ingram said. “I have a child who's 12 and a child who's a college freshman and I want that world (safe and drug free) for my children as well as the other children here.”

        Ms. Ingram's advisory board contacted the Greater Cincinnati coalition about forming a Middletown coalition. Representatives from the schools, the county prosecutor's office, police and community groups are expected at today's meeting.

        “The schools approached us but it's the community we appeal to,” said Ms. Ramsey-Molina said. “We've seen huge reductions (in drug, alcohol and cigarette use) when parents talk to kids and when parents set clear and consistent rules.”

Police coverup alleged, denied
Judge diverted fines to charity
Man charged in teen's slaying
Ohio lawmakers want $9,247 pay raise
$10M in donations asked for NKU arena
Death row DNA tests OK'd
Magnet sign-up goes smoothly
Languages this school's specialty
PULFER: The worst race money could buy
Rutherford Hayes needed Fla. recount
SAMPLES: History takes a back seat
Thumbs up for hand counts
Arrests made in pharmacy break-ins
County to pay mentors for at-risk children
Health-care access problems described at forum
Jail security under review
Jailers talk tough to young people
More elderly will get help from levy fund
Alexandria chosen for sewage plant
Mayor won't be indicted for check
Anti-drug effort begins
Lebanon, ODOT agree on rebuilding part of Main
Norwood police want jobs filled
Police work: Not like on TV
Driver in fatal student shooting gets probation
Kentucky Digest
Local Digest