Kids, Parents on the March to Protest Drugs

More than 15,000 parents and children are expected in downtown San Diego today to rally against drug use by children.

Mary Ann McCarthey, coordinator of the San Diego Rally Against Drugs, said drug use is increasing among younger children and that there is greater use of drugs in the schools. She said a 1985 survey showed that 42% of fourth-grade students have used alcohol, 8% have used marijuana and 5% have used PCP.

“It’s a very, very serious concern,” said Gerald A. Rosander, superintendent of the San Diego County Department of Education. “Everyone has a different idea of what is alarming, but when you have fourth-graders involved,” there’s a problem.

Today’s rally will begin at 11 a.m. at Horton Plaza. Balloons and posters bearing anti-drug slogans will be distributed, rally officials said. A march to the Broadway Pier will begin soon after, and “drug-free theme entertainment” will be provided, rally officials said.

After the march, about 2,000 students will spell out “San Diego Says No to Drugs” with placards on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship Okinawa.

Police officials said that the rally is different from other anti-drug campaigns because it aims at students who don’t use drugs.

“A lot of interest has been in the area of dealing with those with the problem,” said San Diego Police Lt. Dave Spisak. “Here is an event that is geared to children that do say no. It’s a celebration of sobriety.”

McCarthey said 250,000 pledge cards stating, “I want a healthy drug-free life, I pledge to say no to drugs,” will be presented to Police Chief Bill Kolender during the rally. The cards were signed by students and their sponsors.

Television stars Soleil Moon Frye (of “Punky Brewster”) and Ricky Schroeder (of “Silver Spoons”) along with local entertainers will perform on the pier, officials said.

The rally is also designed to encourage formation of Just Say No to Drugs Clubs in county schools, McCarthey said. She described the clubs as a “fun place where kids learn about the affects of drugs on their bodies.”

In a separate effort, anti-drug leaders throughout Southeast San Diego gathered Friday to declare war on one of the area’s so-called “hot spots” for drug deals. The leaders, along with Councilman William Jones, said that a poster campaign will be used in area schools, churches and businesses to raise the consciousness of residents about drugs.

About 50 Southeast San Diego residents and members of the San Diego Organizing Project and its Crime and Drug Task Force descended on the corner of 32nd and K streets.