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.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom