DEMOPOLIS &045;Emily Owens is conducting a drive to collect supplies for Gulf Coast victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Owens said there is still a need for supplies for the victims of the coast. She said she is worried that people have become complacent and feel the situation has been rectified.

Owens became a teacher in Mississippi after retiring from A.L. Johnson in Thomaston where she taught English and music. She said she works in Mississippi during the week and travels back to the area on the weekends.

Owens has come up with a three-month series of supply drives to cover the spectrum of needs she has been informed exist on the coast. This month she is collecting a myriad of paper products and related items.

Owens has set up collection points in the area for persons wishing to donate to her cause. Items can be dropped off at Abernathy Funeral Home, Larkins and Scott Funeral Home and Christian Chapel Church.

Next month Owens said she would be collecting nonperishable food items, especially canned goods. She said in March she would try and collect toiletry items for the Coast.

Though she is looking for specific items at specific times, Owens said she would collect the other items during the entire drive period. She said she is targeting anyone who buys groceries to donate as well as local businesses that would like to help out the unfortunate individuals on the coast.