People from all walks of life will take to the streets of New Cassel - and take a stand for the local community - as the Turn Around New Cassel/Westbury (TANC/W) Drugfighters marks its fourth anniversary next weekend.

The celebration, set to take place on Oct. 12 and 13, is in recognition of "people working together to fight drugs, gangs, and crime" throughout the New Cassel community and local schools, according to organizer Margaret Miller-Scott, who heads the Westbury Drugfighters.

The TANC/W Drugfighters was formed in October, 1998 by a group of local citizens who vowed to take a stand against the rise of drugs, gang and other crime that they saw threatening the New Cassel community and surrounding neighborhoods. The group conducts Friday night candlelit marches down Prospect Avenue, has a community watch program, and holds a summer activity program for local youth at Martin Reid Park. In addition, drugfighters have an ongoing training program in Westbury schools, with the mission: "to educate the students that they have a mind and a brain, and it's up to them to be what they want to be."

Members also show the group's vigilance by visiting local stores and churches wearing the drugfighter logo. Over the past four years, they have developed as watchdogs for the community, for example taking on drug dealers - head on - by reporting suspicious activity, license plate numbers, and other useful information to police, in a constant effort to reduce neighborhood crime.

The Westbury Drugfighters' efforts are modeled after the community reform methods originated by the late Dr. Herman Wrice in the Southern United States. His model for fighting drugs, gangs and crime in the community encourages citizens to take back their communities by confronting drug dealers. Known as the Turn Around America Wrice Process, this method has spread to communities throughout the United States and abroad. Tony Wrice, son of the late Dr. Herman Wrice, will be a guest speaker at the TANC/W anniversary events. Local church pastors will also address the group.

On Friday, Oct. 12, the group will hold an assembly at the Park Avenue School, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The school is located at 100 Park Avenue, New Cassel. That evening, there will be a candlelit march down Prospect Avenue, beginning at 7 p.m sharp at the American Legion Post 1861, 887 Prospect Avenue.

"We march as a reminder of what drugs, gangs and crime can do to a community, families and schools," announced Miller-Scott.

The weekend festivities will conclude with a continental breakfast at the Westbury Community Church, on Saturday, Oct. 13 at 8 a.m. sharp. The church is located at 700 Prospect Avenue, at the corner of Brook Street and Prospect Avenue.

Also during the anniversary events, some prominent local community members will be recognized for their help and support. These include: Town of North Hempstead Councilmember Doreen Banks, Superintendent of Westbury Schools Dr. Constance Clark, Park Avenue School Teachers Amy Barkin, Yvonne Cobb, Heather McAlese, Carroll Miraglia-Sill, New York State Assemblyman David Sidikman, as well as another special honoree to be announced.

Miller-Scott has emphasized that the ongoing call of the Drugfighters is, "to reinforce that it's we the people who have to do it, to take a stand for the young people in our community - so that they can grow up drug, gang, and crime free - to let them know that we are with them whereever they are."

For further information on the Drugfighters' anniversary events, one may call 997-0408.