Pubdate: Mon, 04 Apr 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 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) PREVENT Get Involved in Effort to Keep Teens Away From Drugs One of the biggest concerns of any community, and Guam is no exception, is teenage drug abuse. According to the U.S. Justice Department's National Drug Intelligence Center, both marijuana and crystal methamphetamine, or "ice," are serious drug threats here, with users as young as age 12. Local health officials also say that the use of tobacco and alcohol by Guam's teens remain causes of concern. That's one of the reasons that the Pacific Daily News, along with Mobil Oil Guam, launched "Cool ... Just as I Am," a community project that aims to keep island's teenagers from using drugs. The yearlong project will include a weekly dedicated page in the Pacific Daily News, beginning April 11, which will provide drug abuse prevention information and resources, as well as some of the many "anti-drug" alternatives that are available to Guam's teens. In addition, there will be monthly events, with a different theme every month, held in the community. The events will feature information to help educate teens about the dangers of abusing drug, including the health and social consequences, as well as activities to show teens that there are many other alternatives to drugs. Saturday's event, for example, featured a fashion show, talent show, a hip hop performance and martial arts demonstration. Involvement is key to succeeding in drug abuse prevention, from the family level to the bigger, community-wide level. We encourage everyone in our community, particularly our teens and other youths, and especially their families, to attend "Cool ... Just as I Am" events. Learn More Those who are interested in participating in this community outreach project can contact Edna Nery of the Pacific Daily News at 477-9711, ext. 106. For more information about teenage drug abuse, visit the National Institute of Health's National Institute on Drug Abuse Web site at www.nida.nih.gov. - ---