ANAHEIM : Residents to Receive Gang-Drug Leaflet

A city-produced pamphlet detailing private and public services that are available to residents facing gang or drug problems is being mailed with the next utility bills.

The pamphlet, paid for by a federal grant, lists 26 organizations that can help parents who want to divert their children from gangs or assist residents who are being harassed by gang members. It also lists 27 groups that can help individuals with drug problems.

“Distribution of this directory is a big step in making help available to those who want it but don’t know where to turn,” said Steve Swaim, the city’s gang-drug facilitator. “There are many organizations out there that can help if people in need simply give them a call.”

Production of the pamphlet was a top recommendation of the city’s Gang-Drug Task Force, a citizens’ group, that complained that no one in city government had a list of all of the organizations that could help residents with gang and drug problems.

The pamphlet lists such groups as the Girl Scouts, the Boys and Girls Club and the YMCA; ethnic organizations such as Cambodian Family, La Colonia Independencia and the Orange County Korean Family Counsel; religious institutions such as Crystal Cathedral and the Salvation Army; and other groups such as the Center, which serves the gay and lesbian community, and the Villa Center, which provides help to alcoholic women.