As our two lead stories this week suggest, Dorchester's sprawling villages have much more in common than first meets the eye. We are all concerned about drug use and delinquency among our children and teenagers. And we all have a sense that more needs to be done to occupy their days and nights, to challenge them to avoid the temptations of the streets and to make the right choices for their future.

Building a community center is one way to go, but it must not be viewed as the panacea. Perhaps we need to gather experts and concerned people from across the neighborhood and discuss a Dorchester-wide strategy to combat illicit drug use in particular. We should also team up with neighbors in other communities, like Southie and Roxbury, who are similarly plagued with such concerns.

One thing is certain: there is a growing feeling of desperation and helplessness among many parents about drugs in Dorchester, particularly 'hard' drugs like heroin or oxycontin.

Last week, we received a letter from an anonymous parent who says she lives in the area of St. Brendan's and is petrified that her teenager's lifestyle might lead to tragedy. She cited several cases of overdoses among neighborhood young people.

"This last year has been hell," she wrote, "and I don't know what tomorrow will bring."

"I can't do it alone," said the mother. "(We need to) pull together, get the police in the right direction, don't worry about offending your neighbor or co-worker and help a child that can't do it on their own."

The letter was signed, simply, "Help!"

A Step Towards Closure on Clarence Street

The family of Jorge Fidalgo, the Cape Verdean community leader, merchant and longtime activist, have come up with a way to memorialize their beloved father, husband and friend. The Fidalgo family and friends want the city of Boston to re-name Clarence Street, the street where Jorge lived and, tragically, died in 2001.

Fidalgo was shot and killed during a brazen midday armed robbery on Clarence Street, just steps from his store, Davey's Market, and his mother's house. The atrocity stunned Uphams Corner, Dudley Street and all of Dorchester and prompted a swift arrest and prosecution of the two hoodlums responsible.

But, more can and should be done to remember Fidalgo and his contributions.

Anna Fidalgo, Jorge's widow, says the re-naming the street in his honor is the right thing to do.

"It will serve as a reminder of who Jorge was," Anna says, adding, "It will also send a message not to let something like this happen again."

Anna's idea has been endorsed by elected officials like Marie St. Fleur and Jack Hart and is awaiting final approvals from City Hall. The anniversary of Jorge's untimely passing has come and gone and it's now time to create a permanent marker to a good and decent Dorchester neighbor.