U.S. Rep. Leonard Boswell (D-Iowa) expressed his continuing support for the activities and programs provided by Youth and Shelter Services, 420 Kellogg Ave., in a meeting with YSS representatives Friday morning.

A major issue discussed was the rising problem of methamphetamine use among youth in Iowa.

“This meth is such a scourge,” Boswell said. “I think it’s the biggest threat to our country of a lifetime.”

He mentioned several ideas on how to increase preventative efforts.

“We’ll not win if we don’t get down into prevention,” he said.

Boswell said it is important to talk to children about drugs at a young age.

“I go to schools a lot, and I don’t pass up an opportunity to talk about that,” he said.

One of his suggestions included drug education for both parents and children as part of the kindergarten round-up process every fall.

“That early intervention/prevention has got to happen,” he said.

Boswell also said he likes the idea of having police officers in the school systems.

“The school resource officer program … is going to pay some good dividends,” he said.

Boswell said he has toured schools with officers and found the program to be very positive for all parties involved. He said part of the effectiveness is children’s fear of getting into trouble with the law.

“These school resource officers are laying that fear,” Boswell said, and added if students need a friend, they can go to the officers for that support as well.

The Ames Community School District currently is trying to cut their resource officer, Bob Selby, much to Boswell’s disappointment.

“I walked the halls with him, too — I think he’s quite good,” he said. “It’s very much needed in this damn time.”

Another concern of YSS representatives was a bill to be presented before Congress to put youth offenders in the same arena as adult criminals.

Boswell said he will not support that bill.

“We want to work with you, and I want you to be successful,” he said.

Boswell emphasized the importance of children and his appreciation for the help and care YSS provides to those who are victims of unfortunate circumstances.

“They are our future, one way or the other, and if we don’t pay attention now we’ll pay a whole lot more later,” he said.

Boswell held the meeting in part to acquaint YSS with his new local assistant, Jessica Vandenberg, and to encourage the agency to keep him updated on any concerns or questions they may have.

“Thank you for what you do, and I’ll try to do my best to help you,” he said. “I think we’re on frequency — let’s just keep going.”