Pubdate: Mon, 23 Oct 2006
Source: North Platte Telegraph, The (NE)
Copyright: 2006 North Platte Telegraph
Contact:  http://www.nptelegraph.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1458
Author: John Lindenberger

'PREVENTION IS KEY'

If You Want To See The Effect That Alcohol Can Have On The Body Or 
Brain, Try Pouring Rubbing Alcohol On A Raw Egg.

That was the illustration Amber Freeman of Community Connections used 
to encourage students at Washington Elementary to remain drug free 
during a special Kids Klub Red Ribbon Week presentation Monday.

"Red Ribbon Week is a time for schools to talk about drug 
prevention," said Freeman, who is the substance abuse prevention 
coordinator for Community Connections.

Freeman and other staff members from Community Connections talked to 
Kids Klub members about the dangers of drugs in all forms and the 
importance of substance abuse prevention at an early age.

"Prevention is key," said Tammy Malone, tobacco coalition coordinator 
for Community Connection. "It's better to be proactive instead of reactive."

She noted it is important to encourage kids to remain drug free when 
they are young. By the time they are 11 years old, it may be too late 
because of peer pressure and other social factors.

Freeman noted it is also important for kids to realize how deceptive 
advertising can be for alcohol or tobacco products. While these 
advertisements are targeted at adults, they can have a tremendous 
influence on kids.

"Media advertising is so powerful," Freeman said.

To help kids see the damaging effect of alcohol on the body and 
brain, Freeman poured rubbing alcohol on a raw egg. Within minutes, 
the egg began to discolor and turn a pale white with the look of 
cottage cheese.

Malone also stressed that nicotine in tobacco is another type of 
drug. She stated tobacco has 4,000 hazardous chemicals, of which 40 
are known to cause cancer.

The purpose of the Monday's Red Ribbon event was twofold, according to Freeman.

"We want kids, No. 1, to realize that drugs are not healthy," she said.

Secondly, Community Connections wanted the kids to realize that there 
are people out in the community who are working to keep residents 
safe from the harmful effects of drugs.

So the organization presented special awards to law enforcement 
officers Troy Erickson of the North Platte Police Department, Season 
Trevino of the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office and Jeffery Rogers of 
the Nebraska State Patrol for their drug enforcement efforts.

Erickson, who is the crime prevention coordinator for the North 
Platte Police Department, is best known for his work in coordinating 
the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program.

Trevino was recognized for her work as a DARE instructor and 
volunteer for many DARE programs. Rogers, who is from Broken Bow, was 
honored for being a member and co-chair of Safe Communities for Custer County.

Community Connections Executive Director Jayna Schaaf said this is 
the first year they have recognized law enforcement officers during 
Red Ribbon Week.

She said they hope to make it an annual event because there are a lot 
of individuals that contribute to substance abuse prevention in the community.

Community Connections will take its drug free message to other 
schools this week. The staff will meet with fifth, sixth and 12th 
grade students in Hershey on Wednesday and K-12 students in 
Sutherland on Friday.
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