GIRARD OFFERS HELP WITH DRUG PROBLEMS

GIRARD -- About 15 students asked a speaker for help with their
substance abuse problems Thursday and now the district has stepped up
to put programs into place to do just that.

Mike Kolic, a former Girard student now of Arizona, spoke with
students and parents in programs to address issues including recent
underage drinking problems in the city as well as the drug-related
death of a 16-year-old girl last year. Kolic was once a drug addict
himself and now speaks on abuse and runs prevention workshops.

Kolic said that in followup discussion groups with students, about 15
came forward about their problems with drugs like OxyContin and
cocaine, and were interested in seeking help in turning things around.

Superintendent Joseph Jeswald said that all of the students who
needed help were spoken with Friday and that programs have been
initiated to deal with their specific issues.

''We feel very comfortable with the programs we have in place,''
Jeswald said.

Kolic, however, was outraged Friday, saying that he had intended to
assist administrators in offering support to the students but was
told when he arrived in the morning that the district would handle it
alone.

Kolic said he promised the students who asked for help that he would
be at the high school to help them talk with their parents and seek
counseling. Audibly choked up, Kolic said he didn't want the kids to
think he let them down.

''How can we do this to these kids? They were expecting me to be
there. I promised these kids that I would stand by them. I was
crying,'' Kolic said.

Jeswald said Kolic was hired only to speak to the students and that
the district is going to provide assistance through licensed,
professional counselors.

''We have a plan in place now,'' Jeswald said.