Pubdate: Sun, 30 Oct 2005
Source: Pacific Daily News (US GU)
Copyright: 2005 Pacific Daily News
Contact: http://www.guampdn.com/customerservice/contactus.html
Website: http://www.guampdn.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1122
Author: Tammy Anderson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

CHILDREN LEARN TO 'JUST SAY NO'

Senior Terilynn Francisco treads carefully through the hallways of
George Washington High School after classmates tried to force her to
use drugs against her will last year.

When the 17-year-old reported the incident, she experienced threats
and was forced to switch to different classrooms where her peers did
not mock her.

"In the end, I feel like this situation was such a trial for me but I
accomplished so much," Francisco said. Yesterday afternoon she added
another feeling of achievement by being presented with the first place
award in the "Cool ... Just As I Am" essay contest. Winners of the
poster contest were also chosen from the colorful posters displayed
throughout the day.

"Cool ... Just As I Am" is a community outreach project by the Pacific
Daily News and community partners, warning teens against the use of
drugs.

The awards were announced between dance performances, Tae Kwon Do
demonstrations and excerpts from the play, "Addict," at the Agana
Shopping Center event. The event was one of two gatherings to mark the
end of national Red Ribbon Week, one of the oldest and largest drug
prevention programs in the nation.

At a carnival a few blocks away, parents, children, federal drug
enforcement officers and drug-free youth organizations combined
carnival games, hot dogs, dance performances and displays about the
harmful effects of drugs.

Posters showed Enrique "Kiki" Camarena wearing his Red Ribbon of
Courage. Camarena was killed 20 years ago by drug traffickers in
Mexico City while he was working as a Drug Enforcement Administration
officer. His death sparked the first Red Ribbon week when friends and
family began wearing the ribbons in his memory.

Resident DEA agent Antonio Marquez said it was "overwhelming" to see
the support for a fallen comrade at the event. He said educational
events are necessary, but there has to be more education and support
from families and the community if the drug problem on Guam can be
fought.

"This is a small island. You see things that people are doing and they
are going to affect others down the road so you can't turn a blind eye
to this stuff," he said of the prevalent use of crystal
methamphetamine.

Guam National Guard Lt. Arnold Arizala, the coordinator for Guard's
Counterdrug Program, said educating kids and parents about drugs was
the focus of the event at Skinner Plaza.

"We are trying to educate the kids and stop the use of drugs before it
starts," Arizala said. He participates in weekly drug education events
and the most rewarding part is seeing kids faces when they finally
understand that they don't need to do drugs to fit in, he said.

"I don't need drugs to be popular," Nathan Concepcion, 9 said
yesterday at the Agana Shopping Center event. He participated in the
poster contest and even though his depiction of flowers, trees, clouds
and himself didn't win, he said he had a good time.

When asked why drugs are bad, Concepcion replied without hesitation,
"They affect your brain."

Laughing, Nathan's father, 28-year-old Eric Concepcion, said he
brought the energetic fourth grader because he feels drugs are a big
problem on Guam.

"Drugs in school is a big factor," he said, "I tell my kids just to
say no."

Sidebar: Red Ribbon Week: Guam Army National Guard Spc. Corina
Andre, of the Guam National Guard's Counterdrug Program, educates and
warns 8-year-old Davianna Tenorio, of Yona, of the dangers of
substance abuse during the Red Ribbon Substance Abuse Awareness Week
event at Skinner Plaza yesterday.
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