Pubdate: Tue, 27 Nov 2007
Source: News-Enterprise, The (Elizabethtown, KY)
Copyright: 2007 News-Enterprise
Contact:  http://www.newsenterpriseonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1663

TROOPER IS A TEACHER

Iusue: Steve Pavey

Our View: A well-deserved award

Most parents in Hardin County and the surrounding area  don't know who
Steve Pavey is.

But their children probably do.

A Kentucky State Police trooper, Pavey has spent  countless hours in
schools over the last several years  talking to children about the
dangers of drugs and what  drug use can do to those who take them, as
well as the  people around them.

For many children he has been the voice on the many  drug-use pitfalls
that are in society.

When it comes to providing children and young adults  with information
to absorb, Pavey has been there. And  it's not an easy job trying to
get youngsters to pay  attention, but the 22-year KSP veteran has been
able to  do it.

He catches students at impressionable ages and that helps put them on
course  of knowing what is right and wrong. He has offered  advice,
much like a father, but in a school setting.

Pavey was recently honored for his work at the Kentucky  Office of
Drug Control Policy's annual convention in  Louisville with an award
for his drug prevention,  safety and education efforts in Kentucky.

Communicare Inc. prevention coordinator Kelly Harl  said: "He's been
instrumental in drug prevention  education in our schools and in
community collaboration  efforts to address issues such as meth."

Even without an award, Pavey should be praised for his  commitment.
Anyone who ever has sat in a classroom or  on gymnasium bleachers and
listened to his discussions  would agree that his "tell it like it
is" approach is  impactful.

Educating children is part of his job, and one that he  embraces. He
also works with adults on various projects  such as how to properly
install a car seat in a  vehicle.

Pavey doesn't work and educate only in this area. He  has been around
the state and has been in demand for  his program on the consequences
of meth addiction.

He's a teacher, with a very large classroom, who  continually has done
his job well. Keeping children  away from drugs is a difficult job in
these times, but  someone like Pavey has long deserved a pat on the
back  for his efforts.
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MAP posted-by: Steve Heath