The Turnaround New Cassel/Westbury (TANC/W) Drugfighters, in ongoing efforts to combat the threat of drugs, gangs and violence in the local community, is planning an upcoming Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration.

The celebration is aimed at promoting the drug-free message of the local group, while honoring the memory of the late Dr. King. It will include a march, which will start at the American Legion Hall, located at 887 Prospect Avenue in New Cassel, on Monday, Jan. 21, at 10 a.m., organizer Margaret Miller-Scott recently reported. The march ends at the Westbury African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, located at 274 Grand Boulevard. A memorial service will follow, and will be led by Rev. Adrienne Brewington, pastor of the Westbury United Methodist Church.

The upcoming program follows a successful educational summer activities program run by the Drugfighters. The program was aimed at teaching children to stay away from drugs and gangs, and to stay focused on goals that will keep them healthy and happy citizens. Upon completion of the program, the participating children were treated to a free session of bowling at the AMF Syosset Bowling Lanes, reports Miller-Scott.

The TANC/W Drugfighters was formed in October, 1998 by a group of local citizens who decided to make a united stand against drugs, gangs and other crime threatening the New Cassel community and surrounding neighborhoods.

The Drugfighters are best known for their candlelit marches down Prospect Avenue, which they conduct, with resolve, every Friday night. Members wear the Drugfighter logo and mottos such as "Down With Dope, Up With Hope" on caps and T-shirts in their determined marches, and in neighborhood stores, churches and schools. They also conduct an ongoing anti-drug training program in Westbury schools, as well as the summer activities program. In addition, members take on drug dealers, on neighborhood streets, by reporting suspicious activity, license plate numbers, and other useful information to police.

The efforts of the TANC/W Drugfighters 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 is known as the Turn Around America Wrice Process. It encourages people to take back their communities by confronting drug dealers head on.

People from all sectors of the local community are invited to participate in the Jan. 21 Drugfighters march in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., according to Miller-Scott. "The whole community: schools, churches, organizations, agencies, businesses and residents are welcome to participate," she announced, adding, "Identify yourself/group by displaying your banner, flags, etc."

More than 140 people attended a similar program held by the Drugfighters in honor of Dr. King last year. Dr. King, the late leader of the civil rights movement of the 1960s, was immortalized by his message of freedom and equal rights for all people, and non-violence.

This year's program will proceed rain, sleet, or snow. For further information on the event, one may call (516) 997-0408.