It's been two years since Margaret Miller-Scott decided she wasn't going to take it anymore. She was no longer going to take drug dealers hanging out in her yard in New Cassel, and blocking traffic on her street. Instead, with the help of concerned neighbors, she was going to take back the streets of her community, by fighting drugs, gangs and crime - head on.

In October, 1998, Miller-Scott formed the Turn Around New Cassel/Westbury Drug Fighters, an alliance of concerned citizens working with local police to deter drugs, gangs and crime. Next Friday, Oct. 13, the organization will mark the beginning of its third year, and celebrate its success to date. A candlelight march will step off from the American Legion Post on Prospect Avenue at 6 p.m. It will be followed by services the next morning, at 8 o'clock, at Westbury Community Church on Prospect Avenue.

Miller-Scott, in an interview this week, noted that during the ceremonies, community members who have significantly contributed to the effort will be recognized. According to Miller-Scott, the organization was formed in response to a peak in public drug transactions in the late 1990s in New Cassel which had crowded the streets with crack buyers and sellers, and had drastically driven down quality of life for residents. Inspired by a television documentary on the late Herman Wrice, who confronted drug-dealers in his neighborhood, a coalition of concerned citizens, primarily grandmothers and great-grandmothers, began working with police to identify perpetrators and increase arrests in New Cassel. Their method follows the Turn Around America Wrice Process, which was founded by Wrice and is used throughout America, as well as abroad.

"This program is people coming together to work in conjunction with the police and other officials to take back our community," said Miller-Scott. "It's the quality of life that we're fighting for."

The first two years of the program has made a clear impact on the community, according to Miller-Scott, who said that thanks to the Drug Fighters' efforts, drug transactions are no longer visible on street corners, although hidden drug deals are still present.

She pointed to specific accomplishments of the past year. Since October, 1999, the group has held marches every Friday, and meetings every Monday, with an average of 10 to 15 participants. The drug fighters also conducted seminars in Westbury elementary schools. They sponsored a trip by Westbury sixth grader, Michelle Young to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for a conference and march conducted by the Turn Around America Wrice Process. Michelle is one of the speakers scheduled for this month's celebration in New Cassel.

In addition, the group sponsored an essay contest in the Westbury elementary schools, in which 206 students participated. Students were challenged to write about the effect of drugs on the human body, the school and community, and possible solutions to the drug problem. They have also marched with the Haven Program in Uniondale, a program through which that community is also taking a stand against drugs, gangs and crime.

From June until August, the group sponsored a Friday evening activities program at Martin Reed Park in New Cassel. About 14 students participated in the program, which was co-sponsored by the Westbury Lions Club and Unit 216 of the Nassau County Auxiliary Police. Those students are expected to participate in next week's ceremonies.

According to Miller-Scott, the celebration planned for Oct. 13 and 14 will be in memory of Dr. Herman Wrice, and will honor such community members as Town of North of Hempstead Supervisor May W. Newburger, Assistant Superintendent of Westbury Schools, William Lloyd, and Principal of Park Avenue School Gloria Dingwall.

The celebration is also expected to focus on increasing community support for the Drug Fighters process, as well as getting more involvement from youth. "Since being on the streets starting in October, 1998, we have found that the young people are the ones who are going to take back the streets," Miller-Scott said. "They are the ones who are in the streets, and in the schools. And they are the ones who are faced with the drugs, gangs and crime."

For further information about the Drug Fighters and the events planned for Oct. 13 and 14, one may call 997-0408.