Pubdate: Mon, 02 Oct 2006
Source: Sheboygan Press (WI)
Copyright: 2006 Sheboygan Press
Contact: http://www.sheboygan-press.com/contact/forms/editor_letter.shtml
Website: http://www.sheboygan-press.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3993
Author: Todd Priebe
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)
Note: Todd Priebe is an officer with the Sheboygan Police  Community
Policing Unit. He writes regularly about  safety in the county

STUDENTS AGAINST DRUGS WILL HELP KIDS DEALING WITH DRUGS, ALCOHOL

Some would question if we as a community are making any  headway with
the drug problem. We have law enforcement  and grassroots efforts
making a difference in our  neighborhoods. We have citizens making
donations to  Crime Stoppers for the purpose of developing and
implementing financial rewards for the apprehension of  drug dealers
(more information to come on these  efforts). There is a lot of
prevention and proactive  efforts going on within Sheboygan. Beginning
this  month, another effort by the Sheboygan Area School  District and
the Sheboygan Police Department will take  root -- Students Against
Drugs or SAD.

One of the biggest influences in a child's life in  terms of drug and
alcohol use is peer pressure. Many  students begin using drugs to deal
with some type of  pain. The pain may be emotional or physical,
stemming  from home or school. The Students Against Drugs program
will assist in getting help to those kids that are  using drugs and/or
alcohol.

The goal of the program is to create a school  environment free of
alcohol, drug and tobacco  influences and peer pressure. The plan is
for all  schools kindergarten thru eighth grade in Sheboygan to
implement the program. The program will have a large  impact in
creating a sense of responsibility and safety  as these students
become of high school age.

We're starting at the elementary level because for any  change in drug
and alcohol attitudes in the high  schools, we must focus on the young
student with  creating a positive peer pressure environment, a
"saving a life" approach rather than a "squealer"  attitude that most
high schoolers have today. This  doesn't take parents off the hook
when it comes to  family discussions about drugs and alcohol. Parents
will continue to be the No. 1 anti drug.

The program starts with disturbing a SAD T-shirt to  every student and
a presentation focusing on:

- - Saving a life.

- - True friends don't let friends do drugs.

- - Why kids use drugs.

- - What kids can do instead of using  drugs/alcohol/tobacco.

- - Drug use and dealing is not allowed in their school.

- - They can do anything in life -- the only thing  stopping them is
drugs/alcohol.

- - How to overcome peer pressure.

Another facet to this program is this: if a student is  approached by
a peer to use or buy drugs, a report  system will be in place to
identify the "user."  Confidentiality will be maintained as much as
possible,  with a goal of providing help and support for non-use.
Criminal charges will occur when necessary.

Every month the student body reinforces the messages  delivered at the
kick off. For example, the theme for  November is "Saving a Life." The
students will plan,  promote and implement their strategy for
November's  theme. Once every month each school will also pick a  day
to wear their Students Against Drugs T-shirts.

My hope is that by the time today's fifth-graders are  seniors in high
school, the pendulum will shift from  that of tolerating drug and
alcohol use to that of no  tolerance.
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MAP posted-by: Derek