Pubdate: Wed, 01 Nov 2006
Source: Daily Journal, The (MO)
Copyright: 2006 Daily Journal
Contact:  http://www.mydjconnection.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3148
Author:  Ren E Jean, Daily Journal Assistant Managing Editor

TEACHING THE CHILDREN TO JUST SAY NO

Area Schools Participate in Red Ribbon Week

The telltale ornaments for Red Ribbon Week were donated by the 
Southeast Missouri Community Treatment Center, something the agency 
has done since the inception of the program in 1988.

Red Ribbon week commemorates the work of Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, a 
Drug Enforcement Administration agent murdered in the line of duty. 
The week is devoted to encouraging young people to live a drug-free life.

Linda Fitzgerald is a spokeswoman for the community treatment center. 
She believes that prevention is an important message to take to young 
students. "When you're in the business that we are, of seeing people 
struggling to overcome addictions .. If you can get them in the 
beginning and keep them from becoming addicted, that is so much 
better for them," she said. "We try to show the students the worst 
case scenario, what could happen to them, if they become addicted to 
drugs or alcohol."

Fitzgerald said they are not concerned they will be putting ideas 
into the children's heads by doing the programs. They believe the 
information is already by and large out there, pervasive in society, 
and that accurate information is necessary to help youth make informed choices.

Fitzgerald and her colleagues are also aware they cannot stop drug 
and alcohol abuse entirely, but if it helps even one person avoid the 
trap of addiction it is well worth a few ribbons and speakers.

"Red Ribbon Week is an important tool in a comprehensive continuum of 
prevention activities, and provides an excellent starting point for 
implementation of community-based prevention efforts." said Amber 
Sadler-Winick, a counselor with Southeast Missouri Community 
Treatment Center. Schools plan their own activities, Fitzgerald 
explained, but the treatment center can supply speakers and 
information if requested.

At times when they are speaking some children have asked questions 
that let the counselors know they have seen questionable activity.

In a recent case, Fitzgerald said, a child described how the smoke 
goes "round and round" in a marijuana bong.

The child was 7. "We know the children see these things at a young 
age," Fitzgerald said. "In such a family, sometimes the children have 
to raise themselves, they have to be their own parent."

And only with accurate information will there be a chance for such a 
child to make the right choice when the moment of decision arrives.

Fitzgerald said such experiences are distressing and disconcerting 
for the counselors. "We shift the focus from the child at that point. 
We stress to them all the message, 'Just say no to drugs.'"
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MAP posted-by: Elaine