SOME HOPES, SOME DREAMS

This is the time of year we renew our dreams -- and hopes. Here are
some of mine:

For everybody from district attorneys to school officials and parents
to finally open their eyes and acknowledge the damage being done by
OxyContin and heroin addiction.

It's tragic already -- and getting worse. This area had 29 overdose
deaths in 2005 by young addicts. Among the victims -- a pregnant
19-year-old, whose unborn baby also died; a young father-to-be who
committed suicide after slipping back into addiction; and an
18-year-old honor student who died in his parent's basement.

That the enforcement of Melanie's Law, the new drunk driving
legislation, will keep drunks where they belong -- in prison, or in
bed, not cars. This region has been ravaged by drunk drivers -- and
dozens of families are suffering because of it.

That legislators, who only toughened drunk driving laws in 2005 after
relentless public pressure, next turn their attention to child
batterers and abusers, whose cases languish for years, and who end up
serving little time, even though their victims are often scarred or
disabled for life.

That Raynham police, and those in other such communities, finally
start enforcing speed limits, especially near schools.

That one day we can all walk Legion Parkway in downtown Brockton
without: A. Seeing a drug transaction B. Being asked if we need any
drugs C. Being asked for money by someone sucking Colt 45 from a
brown bag or D. All of the above. A pristine downtown is a must for
the city to shed any lingering, and inaccurate, stigmas that it is
unsafe.