Pubdate: Sat, 29 Oct 2005 Source: Arizona Republic (Phoenix, AZ) Copyright: 2005 The Arizona Republic Contact: http://www.arizonarepublic.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/24 Author: E. J. Anderson, Special for The Republic Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Red+Ribbon Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States) HIGLEY STUDENTS TUNE OUT SCHOOL'S ANTI-DRUG MESSAGE Crosses in the courtyard, smashed cars on display, graphic videos, vivid posters and a visit from a victim of a drunk-driving accident were all part of the aggressive efforts to drive the anti-drug and alcohol message home to hundreds of Higley High School students during Red Ribbon Week, which concluded Friday. "We're trying to bring in the reality of underage drinking, irresponsible drinking and drug awareness," said Kim Meyer, a Higley High counselor who helped organize the event. There was a different anti-drug and alcohol message every day. But some teens, jaded by what they call years of the same message, said Red Ribbon Week does little to sway attitudes. Students either do drugs or alcohol or they don't, they say. "It's not going to make a difference. We're kids. We don't listen anyway," said Ashley Simmons, 16. Senior Shanelle Shaeffer said, "We've seen it over and over again so many times. Basically it comes down whether you're going to be stupid and drive drunk." Counselors, posters and videos try too hard or not hard enough to connect with teens, keeping teens from taking it too seriously, some teens said. Nearly every high school across the country spends at least a week promoting the anti-drug and alcohol message, most under the banner of Red Ribbon Week. But many teens say it's boredom, kids with nothing to do and a quest for excitement that drives young people to use drugs and alcohol. Generally it's personal experiences that get teens' attention, many students and educators agree. One student witnessed a friend trying to fight a meth addiction. The gruesome reality of withdrawal got his attention. Another had a run-in with police. Six months of probation got her rethinking her attitude on drugs. "What we're trying to do here is bring it as close as possible so if they haven't already had a firsthand experience of living through this they have it," Meyer said. Students were able to meet Jacob Pruit, who was paralyzed after getting in an accident while driving drunk, as well as recovering meth addicts. Educators realize they won't reach all students with the anti-drug and alcohol message. "If we can reach one or two and make an impact this week, the time and effort are well worth it," said Bob Mileham, Higley High principal. And although some students discount the effectiveness of Red Ribbon Week, Meyer said doing nothing would be worse. "I wonder if we didn't have programs and we quit putting the images and education out there, what would the numbers would look like then?" Meyer asked. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake