Re: Guest column: Early learning prevents high school dropout and crime - North Kitsap Herald

Stepladder85 — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 08:10:42 -0000

Sorry about the previous entries, my computer froze and I just kept clicking on retry. Below is the result. The moderator is more than welcome to remove the other four repeated entries. Sorry again for the inconvenience.

Re: Guest column: Early learning prevents high school dropout and crime - North Kitsap Herald

Stepladder85 — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 07:42:09 -0000

Dear Mr. Stephen Boyer (Kitsap County Sheriff) and Alan Townsend (Port Orchard Chief of Police),

After reading your article, "Early learning prevents high school dropout and crime" I can honestly tell you that I share your passion for change and action.

The research found and the statement you made in your article, "Long-term studies of high-quality preschools have found that at-risk kids who do not attend these programs tend to drop out of high school and abuse illegal drugs. They are 70 percent more likely to be arrested for a violent crime by age 18 and five times more likely to be repeat offenders by age 27," has reinforced my belief that education is the only way to a better life. Your research also reminded me about the friends I lost to the gangster life.

Although, I live in Australia gangs is a problem we face here as well. I have lost too many friends to that kind of life many of whom dying by the gun, overdosing or ending up in jail. I was headed right where they were. Unfortunately, it took the death of a dear friend of mine that forced me to change my direction in life. Due to that experience, I started over and finished high school. I am currently a nurse and a published author.

I strongly agree that educating at risk youths (even those that aren't) early is the best way to deter young developing minds from venturing into a life of crime or drug addiction. Coming from a nursing background I have always believed that the best cure is prevention. With that said, a fictitious book I have recently written may help in this direction and I want to draw it to your attention, as you may be interested in it. The title is "Purged by Darkness" and I have used this book to give talks here in Australia to various high school, libraries and youth groups about the reality of gangs and the issues of choice and consequence. If you have any questions, I am most willing to offer my views on this topic.

Sincerely
Michael Estepa, Published Author
www.michaelestepa.com
www.eloquentbooks.com/Purge...

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Re: Guest column: Early learning prevents high school dropout and crime - North Kitsap Herald

Re: Guest column: Early learning prevents high school dropout and crime - North Kitsap Herald