Spotlight On: Leslie G. Wiser, Jr., FBI Special Agent in Charge, Retired

On Tuesday, February 27, 2007, 200 guests attended the retirement celebration of Supervisory Agent in Charge Les Wiser at Mayfair Farms in West Orange, New Jersey.

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FROM THE RETIREMENT PROGRAM

Leslie G. Wiser, Jr. was appointed by Director Mueller as Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Newark Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in April 2005. In this position, he was responsible for all FBI investigations and operations in eighteen of New Jersey's twenty-one counties.

Mr. Wiser entered the FBI in 1983, serving in the Minneapolis Division. From 1986 until 1995, he served in the FBI's Washington Field Office, where he was primarily assigned foreign counterintelligence and espionage matters. In September 1992, he was promoted to the position of field supervisor and directed the espionage investigation of former CIA officer Aldrich Hazen Ames, for which he received the National Intelligence Medal of Achievement from the Director of Central Intelligence.

In March 1995, he was assigned to the FBI's Congressional Affairs Office at FBI Headquarters and was responsible for liaison with the House and Senate judiciary and intelligence committees. In December 1995, former Director Freeh appointed him Inspector-in-Charge of the espionage investigation of FBI Special Agent Earl Pitts. From 1996 until 1999, Mr. Wiser served as Chief of the Overseas Espionage Unit in the National Security Division. In April 1999, he was assigned to the Washington Field Office as Assistant Special Agent in Charge, where he headed the Special Operations Branch.

In August 2000, former Director Freeh selected Mr. Wiser to Chief of the Training, Outreach and Strategy Section of the National Infrastructure Protection Center in the Counterterrorism Division. Under his direction, the FBI published a plan and guide to assist state and local enforcement agencies in protecting their data and communications systems. He also worked with the private sector to enhance information sharing for the protection of critical infrastructure.

In February 2002, Director Mueller appointed Mr. Wiser as Inspector-in-Charge, responsible for conducting national security investigations in the Los Angeles Division. The investigation he led resulted in the arrest and indictment of a retired FBI Supervisory Agent and his long-time confidential informant, for which Mr. Wiser received the Director's Award for Outstanding Counterintelligence Investigation.

In March 2004, Mr. Wiser was appointed SAC of the Columbia Division, where he was responsible for all FBI investigations and operations in South Carolina. On February 3, 2007, Mr. Wiser retired from the FBI after 23 years of service.

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During the retirement ceremonies, Mr. Wiser was honored with tributes and awards by numerous law enforcement, government and community representatives including:

• The Federal Bureau of Investigation
• The New Jersey Transit Police Pipe Band
• The Montclair Police Department Honor Guard
• St. Benedict's Preparatory School
• U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie
• New Jersey Attorney General Stuart Rabner
• New Jersey Senate President Richard J. Codey
• Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura of Essex County, NJ
• Bergen County Police Chiefs Association
• Port Authority Police
• New Jersey State Police
• FBI National Academy
• Canadian Security Intelligence Service
• Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory of the FBI
• Central Intelligence Agency
• United States Secret Service
• Essex County Police Chiefs Association
• United States Postal Inspection Service
• SWAT team of the FBI Newark Field Office
• U.S. Congress

Aside from the admiration of these many representatives, undoubtedly the most moving tributes of the day came form those most closely associated with Les Wiser, his co-workers and children Victoria and Daniel.

Les concluded the ceremony by graciously speaking of the privilege it has been to serve the FBI, his country and his deep appreciation for the devotion of his wife, children and loved ones.

Parental Online Safety and Security Assistance

According to its website, WiredSafety is the largest online safety, education and help group in the cyber world. Comparable to the neighborhood watch program of community policing, the program prides itself on being a cyber-neighborhood watch. The program operates in cyberspace through more than 9,000 volunteers worldwide.

The work of WiredSafety falls into these four major areas:

• Help for online victims of cybercrime and harassment
• Assisting law enforcement worldwide on preventing and investigating cybercrime
• Education
• Providing information on all aspects of online safety, privacy and security.

WiredSafety has an informative section for parents that assists them with understanding the Internet and protecting their children with details that include:

• Whats IM? What is this about a secret code kids use online?
• What if I find out my child is a cyberbully?
• How do I know when to call the police or when to ignore something?
• How can I tell if my child is communicating with an Internet predator?
• Is there software that I can use to track what my kids are doing and saying on line?
• What about cell phones?
• What about interactive gaming devices like X-Box Live and Sony PlayStation 2 as well as Network?

Parents must be fully aware and involved in the lives of heir children and their Internet experiences. Internet security is a necessary reality of contemporary youth and parents must be educated and monitor the Internet usage of their children, not allowing computers to be unchecked electronic babysitters.

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WiredSafety.org

Click here to visit site

Parenting Development through American Schools

Parenting, as well as teaching, is a considerable challenge in today's society and our schools have a unique opportunity to support parents in the development of the life skills needed for raising their children. Programs and resources can be developed and implemented through American schools to assist parents. By working together, educators and parents can make the learning experience a fruitful one for our children.

Girls and Boys Town, founded by Father Flanagan, is an organization with a 90 year history in the education of youth. Its Parenting.org web site is dedicated to helping parents.

Understanding that a child's success in school requires an engaged parent as well as a dedicated teacher, Parenting.org provides School Parenting Tips in the following areas:

School Behaviors Academic or Behavior Problems Why Get Involved? Biting and Bullies at Preschool	Making Friends at School Assessing Relationships Making Friends Bad Friendships
Homework Struggles Homework Problems Helping or Hurting School Work Checking on Your Child’s Progress Helping Children Succeed in School	Bullying at School Is Your Child Being Bullied? Steps to Bully Proof Your Child How to Help the Victim Book: No Room for Bullies
Peer Pressure at School Pressure Proofing Your Kids Resisting Negative Peer Pressure Social Pressures – How to Help Just Say “No!”	After School Play Techno Tots Video Games Gangs Suicide Concerns
Classroom Involvement for Parents Creating a School Presence Checking on Your Child’s Progress Successful School Year	Changing Schools Adjusting to School Preparing For a New School Preparing For Kindergarten?
Role Model for Your Kids Be a Role Model for Kids Moral Development Teaching Values to Children Raising Your Child’s Self-Esteem	Role Model for Your Kids Child Care Resources Advice for the Working Mom Babysitting Guidelines Child Care Transportation
Mentors and Tutoring School Mentors Tutoring Questions When Hiring a Tutor	Extras… Too Many Extracurricular Activities? Preparing for College

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American educators are in a unique position to cultivate the moral compass of our nation's future – not only through the day-to-day educating of our youth, but also by assisting parents and families with the development of life and parenting skills.

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Girls and Boys Town Parenting.org – School Parenting Tips	Click here to visit site
D.A.R.E. Parents and Caregivers	Click here to visit site
U.S. Department of Education Especially for Parents	Click here to visit site

Spotlight On: Christopher J. Christie, U.S. Attorney

Christopher J. Christie is serving his second four-year term as the chief federal law enforcement officer in New Jersey. Known to be as dedicated, vigilant, and aggressively anti-corruption as seen in the state for many years, Mr. Christie's track record is extraordinary.

Christie has earned recognition for cracking down on corrupt politicians and prosecuting nearly 100 political figures of various rank and party affiliation. His team has taken on major corporations such as Bristol Myers Squibb and educational institutions such as the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, investigating instances of alleged embezzlement and falsification of documents.

Fighting political and corporate corruption has earned Christie the title of the 2006 New Jersey Law Journal Lawyer of the Year.

Fairleigh Dickinson University Presentation

On Thursday, February 22, 2007, over 200 individuals attended Mr. Christie's presentation Political Corruption and the Fight Against Terror at an event organized by the Anthony J. Petrocelli College of Continuing Studies, School of Administrative Science of Fairleigh Dickinson University. He spoke eloquently about the current culture of terrorism and corruption while offering insights into remedies for this crisis:

• The positive collaboration between various law enforcement agencies in the war against terror, especially with the local partnerships in New Jersey and the improved communication between the FBI and the CIA due to the Patriot Act.
• Understanding that Islamic extremism is a threat to our way of life from without and corruption is a threat to our way of life from within.
• The scandalous behavior of corrupt politicians who unscrupulously take the oath of office "under the authority of the people" — reflecting the greatness of the American Experiment and the words of the Constitution "We the people" — yet within a short period of time betray public service for self service.
• Politicians who cheat should be voted out of office by "We the people." Laws can assist society but the power of the people deserves to stand up against corruption through the ballot box. Voting against unjust politicians who do not keep promises and lack integrity is critical. Politicians ask to be trusted during election campaigns — when they fall short of the virtue of trust they must be removed from office by the people.
• Be convinced of the power of your presence as a citizen; Hold your elected officials accountable by your presence at community meetings; Corruption is an abuse of a power issue in politics and not relegated to a particular party.
• Youth need to be inspired to serve as public officials and the example to motivate them to serve is lacking. We must counter the rotting of American society by rebuilding the hope, faith and trust of our youth — especially in our schools.
• In the last New Jersey gubernatorial race, cynicism reigned as Corzine and Forrester spent $100 million in casting aspersions toward each other. Only 46% of registered voters went to the polls compared to the 1993 campaign of Florio and Whitman where 69% voted... a 23% decline in 12 years due to cynicism.
• New Jersey deserves to be known for more than corruption and the Sopranos. It is time for the people to take back their state by demanding a standard of integrity and appreciating their power to vote corruption out of office.

Mr. Christie's call for an involved and committed electorate echoes the words of Thomas Jefferson:

"The most effectual means of preventing [the perversion of power into tyranny are] to illuminate, as far as practicable, the minds of the people at large, and more especially to give them knowledge of those facts which history exhibits, that possessed thereby of the experience of other ages and countries, they may be enabled to know ambition under all its shapes, and prompt to exert their natural powers to defeat its purposes."

"All authority belongs to the people."

READ MORE

U.S. Attorneys Mission Statement	Click here to visit site
U.S. Attorney's Office District of New Jersey	Click here to visit site

Exercising Leadership to Protect Facilities

According to its website, the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) is the premier professional association for facility management and supports the largest community of facility management professionals in the industry. IFMA membership comprises more then 17,500 facility professionals throughout 50 countries and its members have a voice in 126 chapters and 14 councils.

The mission of the New Jersey Chapter of IFMA is to enhance the value of the organization to the professional facility manager. The goal of the New Jersey Chapter is to serve as a user friendly,easily accessible resource of interaction, education and empowerment of professional skills and knowledge.

Complimenting the mission and goal of the New Jersey Chapter of IFMA, I was honored to be the guest speaker for their Wednesday, February 21, 2007 event at the Marriott in Somerset, New Jersey and presented, "Exercising Leadership to Protect Facilities" to over 50 facility management professionals representing New Jersey corporations and schools. The venue was generously sponsored by Bravo Building Services.

The agenda for the evening was:

• Setting the Stage (Hurricane Katrina: Lessons Learned-the need for a culture of preparedness, leadership, partnerships and unity of effort)
• A Crisis of Leadership (Public, Corporate and Professional Sports Scandals)
• A Culture of Violence (School and Workplace Violence/Terrorism)
• Exercising Leadership (Security Vulnerability Assessments, Risk Management, Target Hardening, Defense in Depth, Emergency Planning, Personnel Security, Sensitive Information Protection, Security Management, Crisis Management Committee's and Security Protocols including lockdowns, sheltering in place, evacuations, partial and full scale drills)

The presentation highlighted the cornerstone of facility protection as moral leadership, heightened vigilance and dedicated collaboration and the six pillars of practical day-to-day leadership as:

• Affirmation
• A Sense of Urgency
• Dignity
• Respect
• Honesty
• Compassion

As with all of my presentations, the program was punctuated with a moment of silence to reflect and remember those who are serving in our military and their families, especially those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The attendees provided significant insights into their work and current concerns. Their commitment and dedication reminds us that:

"Leadership is key for those responsible for facilities and vigilance demands updated, tested and effective emergency plans to protect the lives of individuals entrusted to their care and to safeguard the very survival of their organizations."

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International Facility Management Association (IFMA)	Click here to visit site
IFMA – New Jersey Chapter	Click here to visit site

The Sentinel: Tomb of the Unknowns

In an age of rampant corruption, violence, terror concerns and catastrophic events, there is a call for renewed moral leadership, heightened vigilance and dedicated collaboration among all facets of America's communities.

Inspired by the Sentinels of the Tomb of the Unknowns (also known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier), the purpose of The Sentinel blog and newsletter is to cultivate these core values throughout our nation.

The Sentinels of the Tomb of the Unknown at Arlington National Cemetery serve as a model of leadership, vigilance, and collaboration. The Tomb, also known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, is dedicated to the American soldiers who have died without having their remains identified.

The ceremony of The Sentinels guarding the Tomb allow us to reflect on the legacy of those who have honored America and to resolve to be dedicated to a transformation of our nation:

• The Tomb of the Unknowns is guarded 24 hours per day, 365 days a year and in any weather by Tomb Guard Sentinels.
• It has been guarded continuously since July 2, 1937.
• All volunteers are considered the best of the elite 3rd U.S. Infantry and these soldiers must be in superb physical condition and possess an unblemished military record.
• During the trial phase, aspiring sentinels memorize seven pages of Arlington National Cemetery history verbatim to earn a "walk." A walk occurs between the guard changes at the Tomb of the Unknowns.
• After passing the first training phase, the "new Soldier" training begins and each new sentinel must learn the history of Arlington National Cemetery and the grave locations of nearly 300 veterans. The weapons and uniform of the sentinel must always be in immaculate condition.
• Sentinels undergo rigorous and extensive testing before earning the privilege of wearing the silver Tomb Guard Identification Badge of which only 400 have been awarded since 1958.
• After serving at the Tomb of the Unknowns for nine months, the Tomb Guard Identification Badge can be made permanent and may then be worn for the duration of a military career.
• Representing precision collaboration, there are three reliefs, each having one relief commander and about six sentinels. The three reliefs are organized by height to express uniformity and they rotate every hour in the winter and at nights, and every half hour in the day during the summer.
• An impeccably uniformed relief commander appears on the plaza announcing the Changing of the Guard. Soon the relieving sentinel leaves the Quarters and unlocks the bolt of his or her M-14 rifle to signal to the relief commander to start the ceremony. The relief commander walks to the Tomb and salutes, then faces the spectators and asks them to stand and stay silent during the ceremony.
• The relief commander conducts a detailed white-glove inspection of the weapon. After meeting at the Tomb, the relief commander orders the relieved sentinel, "Pass on your orders." The current sentinel commands "Post and orders, remain as directed." The newly posted sentinel replies, "Orders acknowledged" and steps into position. When the relief commander passes by, the new sentinel begins walking at a cadence of 90 steps per minute.
• The Tomb Guard marches 21 steps down the black mat behind the Tomb, turns, faces east for 21 seconds, turns and faces north for 21 seconds, then takes 21 steps down the mat and repeats the process. After the turn, the sentinel executes a sharp "shoulder-arms" movement to place the weapon on the shoulder closest to the visitors to signify that the sentinel stands between the Tomb and any possible threat. Twenty-one was chosen because it symbolizes the highest military honor that can be bestowed, the 21-gun salute.

The white marble sarcophagus has inscribed on its western panel the words:

Here Rests In
Honored Glory
An American
Soldier
Known But To God.

The mission of the Sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is:

• Maintaining the highest standards and traditions of the United States Army and this Nation while keeping a constant vigil at this national shrine.
• Prevent any desecration or disrespect directed toward the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The Sentinel's Creed can stir vast emotions when spoken by a Sentinel and it reminds all Americans of the dedication, dignity and duty each of us is responsible for in our own particular circumstances of life:

My dedication to this
sacred duty
is total and whole-hearted.
In the responsibility bestowed
on me never will I falter.
And with dignity and
perseverance my standard
will remain perfection.
Through the year of diligence
and praise and the discomfort
of the elements
I will walk my tour
in humble service
to the best of my ability.
It is he who commands the respect I protect,
his bravery that made us proud.
Surrounded by well meaning crowds by day,
alone in the thoughtful peace of night,
this soldier will in honored glory rest
under my eternal vigilance.

READ MORE

Arlington National Cemetary	Click here to visit site
Society of the Honor Guard Tomb of the Unknown Soldier	Click here to visit site

Internet Safety: Tips for Protecting Youth

As an immense global network that comments computers via telephone or fiber networks to storehouses of electronic information, the Internet allows for technologically advanced communication like never in the history of civilization. A computer, modem, a telephone line and a service provider is all that is required for instantaneous information and communication throughout the world.

The benefits of the computer age are extraordinary with finger tip research capability and immediate communication with family, friends and business contacts. Unfortunately, these technological advances and benefits of telecommunication also have a downside which can leave youth vulnerable and exploited.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, these are signs that a child might be at risk on-line:

• The child spends large amounts of time on-line, especially at night
• Pornography is found on the child's computer
• The child receives phone calls from men you do not know or is making calls, sometimes long distance, to an unrecognizable number
• The child receives mail, gifts or packages from someone you do not know
• The child becomes withdrawn from the family
• The child is using an on-line account belonging to someone else

Complimenting the tips on Internet security from the FBI is 2SMRT 4U. This initiative is based on a collaboration of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children with the goal of protecting youth from on-line predators and cyberbullies. Some of the protective tips of this site include:

DON'T

• Post your cell number, address or the name of your school
• Post your friends names, ages, phone numbers, school names or addresses
• Add people as friends to your site unless you know them
• Communicate with people you do not know
• Give out your password to anyone other then your parent or guardian
• Meet in person anyone you first "met" on a social networking site (Such as myspace or hi5)
• Respond to harassing or rude comments posted on your profile
• Make or post plans on your site
• Post photo's with school names, locations, license plates or signs
• Post photo's with the name of your team or school activity
• Post sexually provocative photo's
• Respond to threatening or negative emails or IMS

DO

• Check the privacy settings of the social networking sites that you use
• Set privacy settings so that people can only be added as your friend if you approve them
• Set privacy settings so that people can only view your profile if you have approved them as a friend
• Remember that posting information about a friend can put them at risk
• Review your blog and profile and delete information that can put you at risk
• Delete any unwanted messages or friends that leave inappropriate comments

Together we must remain ever vigilant, keeping a watchful eye on the internet habits of the young people entrusted to our care. A little bit of awareness and caring goes a long way.

READ MORE

FBI: A Parent's Guide to Internet Safety	Click here to visit site
2 SMRT 4U	Click here to visit site
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children	Click here to visit site

Suicide and America's Youth

Suicide awareness and prevention among America's youth is critical. Each person's life has inestimable value and suicide devastates not only the surviving family and close friends but the entire community.

The Jed Foundation was born following one such tragedy. Jed Satow, a college sophomore, died by suicide without anyone understanding that his life was in danger. Honoring the memory of Jed Satow, the Jed Foundation is committed to reducing the young adult suicide rate by

• enhancing understanding of the underlying causes of suicide,
• increasing awareness of the issue of college student mental health and suicide, and
• creating effective prevention programs on college campuses.

Important Suicide Facts from the Jed Foundation

• There are 3 suicides for every 2 homicides nationwide
• Suicide is the 8th ranking cause of death in the United States
• There is one suicide every 17 minutes
• There are 4 male suicides for every female suicide. However, at least twice as many females as males attempts suicide

Youth and Suicide

• Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among college students
• Suicide attempts pose the greatest life-threatening danger for college women
• The rate of suicide among young males has tripled since 1970
• Almost 1,100 suicides are projected to occur on campuses this year
• Among college students, 7.5 of every 100,000 take their own lives
• 4 out of 5 young adults who attempt suicide have given clear warning signs
• 18-24 year-olds think about suicide more often then any other age group, and one in twelve U.S. students makes a suicide plan
• Suicide is the third leading cause of death among the young overall (ages 15-24)
• Every hour and forty-five minutes another young person commits suicide
• The National College Health Risk Behavior Study found that 11.45 of students seriously considers suicide
• Up to 60% of high school students report thinking about suicide at least once in their lives
• In 1998, suicide killed more young adults then AIDS, cancer, heart disease, pneumonia, birth defects, stoke, influenza and chronic lung disease combined

READ MORE

the Jed Foundation	Click here to visit site
Suicide Prevention Resource Center Online Library	Click here to visit site

Community Policing Best Practices

On March 15, 2006 the United States Conference of Mayors produced Best Practices of Community Policing in Gang Intervention and Gang Violence Prevention. The publication examines various approaches mayors and police departments are implementing to provide gang intervention and awareness.

In partnership with the Office of Community Oriented Policing (COPS) and the Department of Justice, this work represents the initiatives to reverse the trend of violence in communities through the continual spreading of gangs throughout our nation. Some of the programs highlighted in this publication, which show the extent of gang activity nationwide include:

• Albany, NY
• Anaheim, CA
• Boston, MA
• Colorado Springs, CO
• Honolulu, HA
• Jersey City, NJ
• Miami, FL
• Providence, RI
• Virginia Beach, VA
• Yonkers, NY

Programs initiated through these and other cities emphasized in the document include:

• Junior Cadet Program
• Teen Court
• Gang Liaison Program
• Neighborhood Crime Watch
• Gang Resistance is Paramount (GRIP)
• Gang Awareness Training Education (GATE)
• Gang Vigilance Efforts
• Cease-Fire

Sections from each cities program include objectives of the program, funding, effectiveness, contact information and lessons learned.

The gang culture and the violence associated with it continues to present a serious threat to the schools and communities across America. Law enforcement, private security, government officials, families and educators must continue to work collaboratively and creatively to take back our communities and schools from the toxic combination of gangs, guns and drugs.

READ MORE

U.S. Conference of Mayors Community Policing Documents

Click here to visit site

Honoring World War II Americans

The World War II memorial in our nation's capital honors more then 16 million who served in the Armed Forces during the war, the more then 400,000 who died and the millions who supported the war effort from the home front.

World War II is understood by many Americans to be the defining event of the 20th century and a decisive time in the history of civilization, therefore the memorial, opened to the public on April 29, 2004 honors the courage, commitment and cohesiveness of the American people in defending not only our nation but peace, freedom and liberty from tyranny throughout the world.

The World War II memorial stands as a symbol of the power of America when unity, moral strength and freedom bond together to serve a just cause. President Franklin D. Roosevelt captured this spirit of America by stating,

"To cope with present dangers, the nation requires a toughness of moral and physical fiber, precisely the characteristics of a free people, a people devoted to the institutions they themselves have built."

FDR was able to rally American around the flag and to inspire in them a deeply profound devotion to their nation.

The World War II memorial became part of the National Park System on November 1, 2004. Previously, it was part of the American Battle Monuments Commission which operates 24 permanent U.S. cemeteries and 25 memorial structures in 15 countries throughout the world.

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World War II Memorial Site

Click here to visit site

Character: The Heart of the Matter

The American gang and school violence crisis is so pervasive that legislation has been introduced in the United States Senate to give state and local governments more than $1 billion to fight gangs and school violence. A second bill would create $50 million to provide federal grants to schools for police officers, security systems and gang prevention programs.

Spending over $1 billion dollars without focusing on the critical need for character education is contributing to the deterioration of American values through a misdiagnosis. An approach to the gang and violence culture must be comprehensive but transformation of our culture is impossible without the molding of character in the hearts of American youth by the persuasive example of leadership throughout society.

• Leaders in American government can only be effective when character is the heart of the matter.
• Parents in American families can only influence when character is the heart of the matter.
• Executives in American corporations can only persuade when character is the heart of the matter.
• American military commanders can only be respected when character is the heart of the matter.
• American law enforcement can only be admired when character is the heart of the matter.
• American educators can only inspire when character is the heart of the matter.

We can become examples for our youth only when character is the heart of the matter in our government, military, corporations, law enforcement agencies, families and schools.

Youth Prescription Drug Abuse Alert: Dangerous and Deadly

Many parents may be unaware of the abuse of prescription drugs in their very own homes by their children. When properly prescribed and used, prescription drugs make complex surgeries possible, relieve pain for millions and assist with healing and controlling various illnesses and conditions.

Abusing prescription drugs is not only dangerous but deadly. It is imperative that parents prevent prescription drug abuse through education, prevention and communication. The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration of the United States Department of Health and Human Services states,

"Data from a National Household Survey on Drug Abuse indicates that abuse of prescription drugs is rising rapidly in the United States. In 2001, almost 3 million youth age 12-17 used prescription medications non-medically in their lifetimes.

"Abuse of prescription drugs can lead to addition, misdiagnosis of serious illness, life-threatening circumstances and even death," said SAMHSA administrator Charles G. Curie, M.A., A.C.S.W.

WARNINGS

• "Pharming" is a new dangerous trend where teens take a handful of prescription drugs and swallow some or all of them.
• After marijuana, the second most common type of illegal drug use is non-medical abuse of prescription drugs.
• Teens get prescription drugs from their own homes, friends and through web sites that will ship supplies anywhere with no questions asked.

Commonly abused prescription drugs often belong to these three categories:

1. Narcotic Pain Medications (Opioids) – often prescribed to treat pain.
2. Central Nervous System (CSN) depressants – used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders.
3. CNS stimulants – for treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

READ MORE

Parents. The Anti-Drug	Click here to visit site
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)	Click here to visit site

Ethical Dimension of Leadership: Picatinny Arsenal

On February 8, 2007, through the invitation of Chief Joseph Devine, I had the privilege of speaking at Picatinny Arsenal. Situated on a 6,500-acre military installation located in the Northwest corner of New Jersey, Picatinny plays a unique role in the United States ability to defend itself. There is no other comprehensive armaments facility like it in America.

Leadership is essential to Picatinny due to its role with research, development, engineering and production. Vigilance is central since America must remain prepared to defend itself and others who are oppressed. Collaboration is required because of the important partnerships that Picatinny has with universities and industries.

The Ethical Dimension of Leadership was presented in response to the crisis of leadership and deterioration of values in America today. The agenda for the program included:

• Crisis of Leadership
• Culture of Violence
• American Icons of Leadership
• Trade Secrets for Professionalism
• American Military Personnel Tribute
• Remember, Reflect, Resolve
• Transforming America

During the presentation, there was animated interaction from individuals representing the military, law enforcement, education, emergency management, health and business professions. Collectively we evaluated the current climate of American communities and a response that included:

• Hurricane Katrina: Lessons Learned
• Public Corruption
• Corporate Corruption
• Faith Based Scandals
• Sports Scandals
• School Violence
• Gang Violence
• Workplace Violence
• Terrorism
• Lincoln, Washington, Jefferson, Franklin Roosevelt, Gehrig, Eisenhower, World War II, Iwo Jima: Lessons Learned
• Leadership Ideals to Transform America

It was a privilege to be with such dedicated Americans at Picatinny who represent the best of our great country. It is a reminder to me that there is hope for America.

Character Above All: Exploring Presidential Leadership

Character Above All was a May 29, 1996 PBS initiative that began with a television broadcast and evolved into a lecture series at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin, a published book by Simon & Schuster and a web site. It allows citizens to focus not only on the character of American presidents but on the importance of this virtue in everyday circumstances.

Excerpts from essays by notable historians on American presidents from the book Character Above All, edited by Robert A. Wilson include:

Doris Kearns Goodwin on Franklin D. Roosevelt

"Roosevelt had a remarkable capacity to transmit his internal strength to others, to allow, as White House counsel Sam Rosenman observed, the men and women who came to Washington during the new deal to begin to feel it and take part in it, to rejoice in it – and to return it tenfold by their own confidence."

Steven E. Ambrose on Dwight D. Eisenhower

"Indeed, whenever associates described Eisenhower, there was one word that almost all of them, superior or subordinate, used. It was trust. People trusted him for the most obvious reason – he was trustworthy."

Peggy Noonan on Ronald W. Reagan

"At the core of Reagan's character was courage, a courage that was, simply, natural to him, a courage that was ultimately contagious. When people say that President Ronald Reagan brought back our spirit and sense of optimism, I think what they are saying in part is, the whole country caught his courage."

America is at a crossroads due to the current culture of corruption. Our nation must rise to the challenge and dedicate itself to a new era of leadership with character at the heart of its transformation.

READ MORE

Character Above All

Click here to visit site

Sacrifice: The Essence of Character

It is through sacrifice, the act of delaying or denying self-gratification for the good of others, that our character gets tested and refined. Many Americans have made the ultimate sacrifice to secure and preserve our freedom.

U.S. Marine 2nd Lt. August Sacker, Jr. joined the Marines when he was 22 years old. He always wanted to be a marine and was inspired to join by two other marines in his neighborhood. After previously quitting school, August went back to earn his diploma so he could meet the education requirements of the marines.

Lt. Sacker was killed June 15, 1944 on the first day of The Battle in Saipan, one week after his 31st birthday. Six months prior to being killed, he was wounded in the Pacific theater of operations and received the Purple Heart. After his convalescence, he requested being deployed to the European theater but was sent back to the Pacific where he was killed.

I learned about Lt. Sacker from one of my current neighbors, Marie, his surviving sister.

U.S. Marine August Sacker is buried in Beverly National Cemetery in Beverly, New Jersey, 10 miles east of Camden. Visiting the graves and remembering with honor the many Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country reminds us of the enduring value of character.

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Beverly National Cemetery Site

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Ethical Leadership: Enhance, Enrich, Empower

Based on contemporary concerns indicating serious leadership deficiencies throughout American society, the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs of the University of Texas at Austin has created a Center for Ethical Leadership. America's future depends on leaders who are strong, committed to service and understand civic responsibility and this philosophy is central to this center.

Through the Center for Ethical Leadership, the Lyndon B. Johnson School is committed to leadership development for public, private and non-profit sectors through its students and other constituents. The Center for Ethical Leadership rests on four premises:

1. The long-term success of an organization, community or society depends on good leadership, not just on technical proficiency and skillful management.
2. Good leadership must be grounded in ethical values.
3. There are tensions between personal values and goals, on the one hand, and organizational, community or societal values and goals on the other. Ethical leadership involves recognizing and reconciling those tensions.
4. Although leadership is a complex form of human behavior, most of what we think as leadership is learned and, therefore, can be taught.

The mission of the Center for Ethical Leadership is to promote ethical leadership in our society through education, research, and service to community.

Leadership training and development for all sectors of American society is a matter of urgency and crystilizing the importance of character is critical to our nation's future.

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University of Texas at Austin Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs Center for Ethical Leadership

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Leadership, Ethics and Character: Foundations for Transformation

As an educator dedicated to leadership and character development, my responsibility is faithfulness to a mission exemplified by leadership, vigilance, and collaboration. During this week, my particular focus in fulfilling this mission is providing some practical resources for leadership, ethics and character development.

One resource that compliments this mission of building community is The Siegel Institute for Leadership, Ethics and Character which promotes "ethical leadership for the common good throughout the world for all individuals representing all walks of life."

Leadership and violence prevention principles taught throughout the nation must have character at their heart: "the core of the Kennesaw State University Model of Ethical Leadership (served by the Siegel Institute) is character – that quality of knowing and developing oneself, the achievement of which is a prerequisite toward becoming what others might describe as an ethical leader – one who embodies in attitude, behavior and action the five core beliefs: Respect, Trust, Optimism, Intentionality and Service."

This institute upholds the codependent partnership of leadership and ethics.

"Leadership, without an understanding of ethics, does not produce leaders who take responsibility and hold others as well as themselves accountable. Ethics without leadership does not provide the necessary tools, knowledge and skills to develop and implement vision. At the heart of leadership is character defined as understanding and knowing ones values, beliefs, strengths, skills and personality."

In an age where America is called to transform a culture lacking leadership, ethics and character, it is critical to realize the potential and responsibility to favorably influence society through service which only has efficacy when these qualities are its underpinnings.

There is a crisis of community within America reflected through broken families, abandoned youth, gangs and violence. It is my hope, aspiration and passion that transformation within all segments of American society take place through the building of community, leadership, ethics, self-esteem and character.

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The Siegel Institute for Leadership, Ethics, and Character

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United States Military Academy: Leadership Lessons for America

The cadet honor code of the United States Military Academy at West Point is engraved on marble in the center of campus,

"A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do."

Complimenting this honor code is the mission of the United States Military Academy:

"To educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the Nation as an officer in the United States Army."

Scandalous headlines highlighting a deterioration of values and a crisis of leadership in both the public and private sector within American society have been rampant over the past few years. Public corruption is of such concern that the Director of the FBI, Robert S. Mueller III, in Congressional Testimony before the Senate Committee on Intelligence of the United States Senate on February 16, 2005, stated:

"Public Corruption continues to pose the greatest threat to all levels of government...over the last two years alone, the FBI has convicted more then 1,050 corrupt government employees, including 177 federal officials, 158 state officials, 360 local officials and more than 365 police officers."

The ethical deficiencies in the corporate sector smack of decayed underpinnings of dysfunction and the lack of a moral compass. Enron, once an admired company, has become the icon of corporate greed with executives having enriched themselves at the expense of thousands who lost their jobs and their retirement savings. Legions of corrupt and dishonest officials from other companies, including Worldcom, represent this deviance. Professional sports teams share in this pandemic of scandal. And I am sure each of us has numerous other examples that come to mind.

The leadership principles from the United States Military Academy stand as solid counter cultural wisdom to this crisis. These ideals demand review, reflection and resolve for all Americans. America must learn from the motto of West Point, "Duty, Honor, Country" and let it serve as a starting point for a national transformation. The lessons learned from this profound motto are stepping stones for renewal:

Duty – perseverance to living out morally based obligations as the heart of personal responsibility.

Honor – living and speaking truthfully and standing as a moral force against a culture of lies.

Country – living with profound admiration and devotion to the ideals of America and its providential destiny to stand as an example of moral leadership, unwavering vigilance and generous collaboration.

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FBI Director Congressional Testimony	Click here to visit site
United States Military Academy	Click here to visit site
National Conference on Ethics in America	Click here to visit site

Union City Schools Security Professionals

On Thursday, February 1, 2007, all security personnel of the Union City, New Jersey school district participated in a training program entitled, Responsibilities of a School Security Professional. The training took place at the Education Center of the Union City Board of Education on Bergen Turnpike in Union City. The program was a collaborative effort made possible through the leadership of Frank Acinapura, Educational Director of Facilities and School Safety for the Union City Board of Education, and Ed Petersen of Buckley Petersen Global.

The Union City School District has a community centered educational philosophy and is recognized across the nation as an urban leader with award winning school and high student test scores. Some highlights of the districts recent accolades and awards are:

• Hudson Elementary School – named a National Title I Distinguished School, one of just two in New Jersey and fifty-three nationwide.
• Title I Distinguished Teachers – Gail Blake and Carol Kelly were honored by the Department of Education recently as Title I distinguished teachers.
• Woodrow Wilson School received the prestigious national award by the United States Department of Education, the 2004 NCLB Blue Ribbon School Award.
• The Governors School of Excellence for 2005 was Jose Marti Middle School, one of twenty-two statewide to be honored.
• Apple Computer recognized the "Pod-people" literary program as one of only fifteen schools nationwide for the prestigious T.H.E. Innovation Award.

Complimenting these achievements is the Union City School Districts dedication to security and safety as exemplified in today's program. As the main speaker for the training, it was an honor to develop the training agenda, train at this extraordinary school district and work with the security professionals dedicated to the district schools and the Union City community.

TRAINING AGENDA

Painting a Picture

• The Culture of Violence
• Crisis of Leadership
• Shattered Communities
• Drug and Alcohol Alert
• Discussion of Hudson County gang activity and presentation of the film, Gangs, Guns and Drugs by the Office of the Attorney General of New Jersey.

The U.S. Secret Service

• Safe School Initiative

School Safety Professionals Call to Action

• Responsibilities
• Self-Esteem
• Communication Principles
• General Orders
• Code of Ethics
• Diversity
• Sexual Harassment

Trade Secrets for School Security Professionals

Character Education

Resources

• Early Warning Timely Response: A Guide to Safe Schools by the U.S. Department of Education

Icons of Leadership

Tribute to American Military Sacrifices

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Union City Schools	Click here to visit site
Visit the U.S. Department of Education Safe and Drug Free Schools	Click here to visit site
Rachel's Challenge – Character Education	Click here to visit site

Gangs in America: West Coast to East Coast Crisis

According to the FBI, about 30,000 violent street gangs, motorcycle gangs and prison gangs with approximately 800,000 members operate in the United States today. Many are sophisticated and well organized; all use violence to control neighborhoods and boost their illegal activities which include:

• fraud
• extortion
• prostitution
• gun trafficking
• assaults
• murder

The gang violence is so pervasive in Los Angeles that the FBI has joined L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Police Chief Bill Bratton, County Sheriff Lee Baca and other officials in a collaborative task force addressing the crisis.

Actions of the Task Force include:

• Joint patrols in shared vehicles by the L.A. police and the sheriffs
• Enhanced gang intelligence collection
• Creation of the 20 worst gangs list for targeting
• Cooperation with neighboring jurisdictions where the violence has spread
• Vandalism and graffiti crackdowns
• Injunctions, lawsuits and curfews enforcement
• Increased surveillance's and investigations
• Stiffer federal hate crimes and civil rights laws

On the east coast, the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General – Juvenile Justice Commission has a Gang Awareness Guide: Recognize the Signs which states:

"The New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission (JJC) understands that gangs and gang related activities impact every community in our state. The JJC works with schools, community organizations and other law enforcement agencies to combat juvenile street gangs and help young people succeed."

On January 8, 2007, the New Jersey Attorney General announced a reorganization of the Division of Criminal Justice to put a greater emphasis on fighting the growing menace of gang violence. According to Attorney General Stuart Rabner's news release, this reorganization focuses greater resources on top priorities (corruption and gangs) and will allow focusing "to address the growing problem of gang violence to make our streets safer from gangs that traffic in guns and terrorize our communities."

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FBI Headline Archives	Click here to visit site
NJ Attorney General Gang Awareness Guide	Click here to visit site
NJ Attorney General News Release	Click here to visit site