Pubdate: Mon, 17 Jul 2006
Source: Wetaskiwin Times Advertiser (CN AB)
Copyright: 2006 Wetaskiwin Times Advertiser
Contact:  http://www.wetaskiwintimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2179
Author: Nick Puhjera
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

MAKING CHILDREN, TEENS DRUG-FREE

If  Coons had his way, every Hobbema parent would emblazon  their
vehicle with bumper stickers reading, "My kid's  on the drug free team."

Coons, a member of the Winnebago tribe of Nebraska, has  been
motivating young aboriginal youth since 2001.

"In three years, these 48 students will change your  reservation,"
Coons said.

The 48 students took part in his drug awareness  workshop, Save the
Child, Save the Teen. The program  was geared towards students from
grades 4 to 6.

Some of the more elucidating words were from  facilitator Barry
Johnson, saying bullying and other  peer pressure, "starts at home,
and then progresses  into school."

Young Brittany Waskahat gave her presentation of What I  Learned in
this Program, mentioning problems like FASD,  fetal alcohol spectrum
disorder.

Coon's program is delivered with the help of curriculum  designer
Vicente de la Garza, a member of the Jicarilla  Apache Nation. The two
use an "early intervention  model."

Kids acted out what they learned in front of a huge  audience, which
included many proud parents.

"It's an early start and a beginning," said mother  Tammy Crier, whose
children, 10-year-old Tamra and  nine-year-old Taylar proudly held
their certificates  aloft.

"As the years go by, I hope this program continues."

After teams pledged allegiance to stay drug free, each  student was
presented with a certificate embossed with  a gold seal.

The plays were the product of a three-hour course held  at Goldeye
Centre, West of Nordegg. A more intensive  training is to follow.

We can look forward to the day the Four Nations will be  drug free,
Coons said, but the "my kid's on the drug  free team" bumper stickers
would be a start.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Derek