posted on 9/22/2011

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance and Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy Gil Kerlikowske — a position generally referred to as the United States 'Drug Czar' — joined Washington Heights community leaders and other law enforcement officials on Thursday at The Armory to discuss ways to keep the forward momentum that has been established in the past 10 years.

Crediting the community's involvement, Vance said that the drop in neighborhood crime, particularly the dramatic reduction in drug arrests, demonstrate that "enforcement alone is not the answer."

While the main focus of the forum was on abuse of prescription drugs and the need for prevention, The Armory's Executive Director, Dr. Norbert Sander, mentioned the need for more funding to help educate and prevent performance-enhancing drugs from continuing to expand their reach among high school students.

He also pointed out the demand for enrichment opportunities in the City, as fewer than eight percent of high school students participate in interscholastic athletics.

DNAInfo.com, which covered the event, reported that the combined 33rd and 34th police precincts, which represent Washington Heights and Inwood, are now the fourth-safest neighborhoods in Manhattan.