Pubdate: Fri, 15 Nov 2002
Source: Times, The (LA)
Copyright: 2002 The Times
Contact:  http://www.shreveporttimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1019
Author: Brian Allison

STUDENTS TALK FRANKLY ABOUT ISSUES THEY FACE

The March of Dimes hopes frank discussion will cause a chain reaction among 
high school students.

Thursday, Willis-Knighton Education Center held a conference for 60 
Shreveport-Bossier City teenagers about subjects students face in their 
schools and communities.

The conference was organized by Chain Reaction, the March of Dimes' youth 
leadership council. Speakers discussed self-defense, drugs and sexually 
transmitted diseases.

Chain Reaction includes 15 high school students from Northwest Louisiana. 
The council reports to the March of Dimes board of directors at board 
meetings and plans every aspect of the conference. Chain Reaction chooses 
the topics, contacts the speakers, sends invitations and even orders the 
catering and prizes for the conference.

"We put on the health conference every year," said Temper Stokes, a Loyola 
College Prep senior and Chain Reaction chair. "We get our topics from 
things that have gone on with students in the United States."

Shreveport police Officer Mike McConnell did more than just talk about 
drugs. He showed students videos, drugs and drug paraphernalia taken from 
police raids.

"You can talk about this stuff all day," he said. "But when you see the 
real thing, it's hard core. It makes an impact."

Students smelled what was almost the real thing when McConnell lit a 
marijuana burn tab to simulate the aroma of the burning drug. In the closed 
classroom, the smell became very apparent to the students.

McConnell also explained the effects of illegal drugs and warned students 
about the prevalence and effects of date-rape drugs in social situations.

"With all the things that go on today, you have to be careful," said Ema 
Billings, a junior at Caddo Magnet High School.
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