About 300 Crucians gathered in Frederiksted Tuesday for a night out against crime and drugs.
For the 13th year, St. Croix residents marched from the Frederiksted Post Office to the Terrence Martin Ballpark, where the rally was held. Venise Lewis, assistant director of youth projects at the Department of Health and Human Services, estimated the crowd at approximately 300.
Along with guest speakers and musical performances by youth groups, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency passed out complementary water bottles with anti-drug messages, and played videos showing the effects of drug use.
The effort is all part of the DEA’s mandate to educate young people about drug use, said the agency’s resident agent, Paul Toner.
"I think there is a place for drug education in the overall picture," Toner said.
The Night Out Against Crime and Drugs was organized by the St. Croix Demand Reduction Unity Coalition, a collaborative effort of community organizations and individuals to reduce alcohol, tobacco and other drug use on the island.
