Pubdate: Thu, 01 May 2014
Source: Daily Record (Wooster, OH)
Copyright: 2014 The Daily Record
Contact:  http://www.the-daily-record.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3440
Author: Marc Kovac

36 LOCAL TEENS RALLY AT STATEHOUSE AGAINST DRUGS, ALCOHOL

COLUMBUS -- Shannon Garrison, Savannah Chaffey and Mikaela Franks are
juniors at Northwestern High School in Wayne County.

On Wednesday, the three donned plastic ponchos and stood in the rain
outside the Ohio Statehouse, showing their support for teens who
choose to refrain from using drugs. They want to be role models for
other students who may feel pressured into drug abuse and addiction.

"I just want to be the positive influence on those kids," Garrison
said.

The teens have heard rumors of heroin and prescription drug use in
their school, though they said they don't know anyone who has indulged.

They hope to keep it that way.

"I don't want to be a witness of one of my friends dying from drugs,"
Franks said.

The three were among more than 1,800 students who participated in a
rally Wednesday in Columbus, spotlighting their decision to live
healthy, drug-free lifestyles. The event was organized by the Ohio
Youth-Led Prevention Network, the Drug Free Action Alliance and
several state agencies.

"One of the most common misconceptions from our society is that a
majority of young people are making detrimental decisions that affect
the rest of their lives," Marcie Seidel, executive director of Drug
Free Action Alliance, said in a released statement. "However, research
has continuously shown that a vast majority of youth are making
positive, healthy choices."

Participants walked around Capitol Square holding signs and chanting
before gathering on the west stairs of the Statehouse for speeches.

"We work in the general assembly here, in the legislature, every day
to try to solve problems when people crash and when people are
struggling," said Rep. Amstutz (R-Wooster), who was among the speakers
at Wednesday's rally. "And so it's wonderful to have you here as
leaders making a difference for what's good and what hasn't crashed,
to try to keep our people moving, to lead people. Thank you, thank
you, thank you."

Phyllis Jones, teen institute adviser at STEPS in Wooster, said 36
students from Chippewa, Rittman, Northwestern, Triway and Wooster
schools made the trip to Columbus for the rally. It's the third year
students from Wayne County have participated.

"It's important because we don't very often have a showing of young
people who choose to make good choices about not using alcohol,
tobacco or drugs," Jones said. "They get to be a part of huge group
. to see that there are a lot of kids that don't use."
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MAP posted-by: Matt