Pubdate: Thu, 14 Nov 2002 Source: Tennessean, The (TN) Copyright: 2002 The Tennessean Contact: http://www.tennessean.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/447 FIRST-HAND WARNINGS Not even the most committed counselor could impress the dangers of drug or alcohol abuse on young people as well as those who have lived through it. Davidson County has an excellent drug court that emphasizes treatment and recognizes that the best way to fight drug- and alcohol-related crime is to get to the heart of the problem, not just react to the crime. But no judge can connect with a young person the way someone who has been down that difficult road can. Several Metro schools are hearing testimonials from graduates of the Davidson County Drug Court program. Students ages 12-14 are especially prone to making poor decisions about drugs and alcohol. The drug court grads, as part of a community service, are reaching out and informing those students about the risks of those decisions. Students are learning that what may seem like minor decisions can lead to long-term problems that could affect the rest of their lives. The message of the Drug Court program is simple. It's to avoid even getting involved in drugs and alcohol. Getting off such substances can be extremely difficult, so the best decisions are to avoid them from the start. But as well-versed as someone like Judge Seth Norman, who founded the drug court, may be on the facts and the value of the program, it's the people who have had recent, first-hand experience who are best suited to convey the message. Students in audiences who hear personal accounts should recognize how courageous it is for those who have battled drugs and alcohol - and gotten into trouble for it - to talk about their experience. Those experiences can be painful to relive, but the frank discussions can literally affect the lives of young people in those audiences. The community should be grateful for the work of the drug court. It should be especially grateful to those who have survived their ordeals and share what they have learned. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom