THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 19, 1996 TAG: 9605170225
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Faces and Places
SOURCE: Susie Stoughton
LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
PUT ON YOUR walking shoes, and head to Constant's Wharf after lunch.
You could save someone's life.
Today's ``Walk to the Wharf'' is a community fight against crime, violence and substance abuse. That's a tall order. But by working together, we can make a difference.
``We want Suffolk to be aware that these things exist here, and we don't want them here,'' said Louvenia Milteer, a walk organizer.
Milteer, an adult parole and probation officer, sees the effects of substance abuse every day. She knows how crack cocaine can destroy lives.
``I want to make a difference,'' said Milteer, a Suffolk native. ``This is my community.''
She can't help everyone, she knows, but making an impact on just one person is worth all her time and effort, she says.
Her job has changed drastically since she started 18 years ago after getting a bachelor's degree in social work and sociology.
``Then it was mostly welfare fraud and grand larcenies,'' she said. ``Now I have a complete case load of substance abuse.''
Because of the problems her clients have with alcohol and other drugs, she has become certified as a substance abuse counselor.
``I did that because I had an interest to take care of the needs of my clients,'' she said. ``These are people who have special needs.''
Now she's working on her masters degree in addiction counseling.
``If I make a difference in one, that makes a difference,'' she said. ``You can't save all of them.''
Crime, violence and substance abuse are not limited to one section of town, she said.
``I don't think there is a family that exists that has escaped it,'' she said. ``You don't have to be dysfunctional to be affected.''
Crack cocaine is the city's most highly abused drug according to statistics, she said. But problems with alcohol are often unreported.
Many people are battling low self-esteem and use drugs to suppress pain, she said. ``Others just want to know what effect drugs will have on them. Then they discover they're powerless over it.''
Her office has 1,200 clients, which is high for a city of Suffolk's size, she said.
Milteer heads the Substance Abuse and Youth Council, which is sponsoring the ``Walk to the Wharf.'' The organizers are encouraging groups or individuals to walk from their neighborhoods, churches or a meeting spot to come together to demonstrate unity and concern.
Participants are asked to walk on sidewalks, two abreast and in an orderly procession. Bring a banner or sign to identify your group and bring suggestions on how to prevent crime and substance abuse.
Or just come and listen.
``The whole idea is to show unity and awareness,'' Milteer said.
Start from home or if you live too far away, drive to a parking lot and walk from there to the gathering at the intersection of Main Street and Constance Road.
Just come, says Milteer. Be there at 2:30 p.m. for a short program.
Commonwealth's Attorney C. Phillips Ferguson will speak. Local schools, police and city officials have been invited to participate.
And if it rains, show up June 9.
Habitat for Humanity Inc. - one of many groups trying to make a positive impact on the community - broke ground last week for the Suffolk chapter's fourth house.
John Marion and his wife, Melanie, will own the house on Blythewood Lane after they help the Habitat volunteers build it.
``I thank God for everybody here,'' said Marion, a floor tile installer. ``It's black and white here together.''
Dan Anglim, construction supervisor for Suffolk's last two Habitat houses, will oversee this one. ``This is God's work,'' he said. ``I don't know how to quit God's work.''
The Marions have dreamed for years of owning a home. Without help, they wouldn't be able to move from their rental home, Melanie Marion said.
Construction will begin later this month and the Marions hope to be in the house by the end of summer before their two daughters start a new school year.
``We're helpers of one another,'' said Melanie Marion, who works at Obici Hospital. ``That's what it's all about.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
Louvenia Milteer has helped organize today's ``Walk to the Wharf.''
by CNB