Pubdate: Wed, 15 May 2002 Source: Huntsville Times (AL) Copyright: 2002 The Huntsville Times Contact: http://www.htimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/730 Author: Rebecca Sallee WINNER OF ANTI-DRUG ESSAY CONTEST CREDITS UPBRINGING FOR SAYING 'NO' A soft-spoken but hard-nosed Bob Jones High School senior won a $1,000 college scholarship for his winning essay in a contest sponsored by the city's anti-drug organization. Kyle Long, the 17-year-old son of Mike and Stephanie Long, won the scholarship from Madison DON'T (Drugs Offer No Tomorrow) in a contest named for its first program coordinator, Janet Chesser, who died of cancer in 1997. Summarizing the contents of his essay, Kyle said he suggested that authorities ''increase the police presence at 'RAVES,' '' parties where illicit drug use is often rampant. Kyle said he has never been tempted to use drugs because ''I guess I'm just fine the way I am,'' but he admits drug use is widespread among his peers. ''It's very common,'' he said. The secret to resisting drugs? ''Upbringing has a lot to do with it,'' said Kyle. His parents have always told him ''all the bad things about drugs.'' When he learned he had won the Chesser scholarship, Kyle said it wasn't a huge surprise because he knew he had put his thoughts into words well. ''I was very pleased with my essay when I finished writing it,'' he said. At Bob Jones, Kyle has been involved as a ''tekkie,'' or technical crew member, in eight plays produced by the drama department, and said that in his spare time he likes to read. He plans to study Native American studies and Cherokee language at Northeastern State University in Oklahoma and hopes for a career as a teacher. Kyle has three siblings, twins Kevin and Kelly, 14-year-old seventh-graders at Liberty Middle School, and James, a 19-year-old senior at Bob Jones. For more information on the scholarship or the organization that sponsors it each year, visit www.madisondont.org. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens