Pubdate: Mon, 21 Jul 2003
Source: Plano Star Courier, The (TX)
Copyright: 2003 Plano Star Courier
Contact:  http://www.planostar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1597
Author: Keith Menter

RALLY ENCOURAGES CHILDREN TO AVOID DRUGS

More than 100 children from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Collin County 
participated in a drug-awareness rally at the Douglass Community Center on 
Thursday.

They gave speeches, recited poems, heard advice from police officers and 
counselors, danced, performed skits and sang inspirational songs, such as 
"We can make it right for us," "I know I can be what I want to be," "We are 
drug-free."

They received more than one standing ovation from parents and dignitaries.

Brianna McCullough, 10, kicked off the afternoon's events as emcee. The 
morning had included 25 police officers helping in anti-drug workshops. 
Drug counselor Joe Powell, attending with his sons - Max, 14, and Tery, 10 
- described his experience as an addict 15 years ago.

He now runs the Dallas-based Association of Persons Affected by Addiction, 
which recently received more than $1 million in federal funds.

"I thank God every morning for another day clean and sober," Powell told 
the audience, imploring children to be open and talk about their concerns 
and problems with their parents and teachers.

"The older generation couldn't really tell people how we felt. Today, it's 
OK to talk to somebody about what's going on in your life," Powell said.

"Addiction is about hiding; recovery is about being open. Joining is 
healing; separateness is sickness," he said.

Children wore posters quoting statistics on suicide, depression, drugs, 
alcohol and peer pressure.

They placed posters on top of a child who, as part of a presentation, had 
fallen to the floor.

"We fall down, but we get up," he said.

Another presentation talked about what drugs do to the brain. "Know the 
facts and say no and mean it," Brianna said.

A poem described a young girl being hit by a drunk driver. As she lay 
dying, she said, "Mom, why do people do it when it kills lives, it's wrong 
to drink and drive ... Mom, my breath is getting shorter ... as I lie here 
and say goodbye, Mom, I'm getting scared."

A sketch described peer pressure: "Everyone's doing it ... It will make you 
popular ... Just try a little ... It's just one drink."

But "instead, we say 'No,' " children shouted together.

T-shirts read "I Know I Can Make It Right!" or "Don't Hate On Us ... We're 
Fabulous, Never G-I-V-E-U-P, Keep our H-E-A-D-S-U-P! Join me I'm Drug Free."

Brenda McDonald, club director, thanked the city of Plano and the Plano 
Housing Authority for funding the event..

"Thank you for trusting your children with us. Without funding 
opportunities and sponsorships such as this, this wouldn't be happening," 
McDonald said.

Children applauded Karen Johnson, unit director at the Douglass Community 
Center, who helped organize the event and performances.

"It's the best day-care I've ever gone to," Brianna said later.

"We like it" said Tiffany Allen, 7.

"I think we have great teachers," said Quiyona Cotton, 7.

"We get to go to the gym and the playground and fieldtrips," said Marcus 
Davis, 7.

"Sometimes we have pizza parties," said Arianna Chambers, 5.

"It's been very educational and very enjoyable for the kids," said the 
center's assistant director, Lara Pair.