KIDS TODAY - NEW PROGRAM AIMS TO KEEP KIDS DRUG FREE

Students Against Drugs In Many Area Schools

Doesn't everyone want safe schools without drugs, alcohol or
tobacco?

Well, the students in Sheboygan are making that happen. Recently a
new program began in the Sheboygan schools, Students Against Drugs
(SAD).

The program is designed to create a school environment free of
alcohol, drug and tobacco influences and peer pressure.

SAD has reached all of the public elementary schools, a number of
private schools and public middle schools. The program is designed to
follow kids into high school.

Every month there is a new theme. The theme for January is "Why Kids
Do Drugs."

Each school sets up a SAD committee.

The SAD committee is responsible for coming up with monthly
activities to carry out the theme.

The committees consist of students, a school counselor, a member of
the PTO and parents.

Another responsibility for the committee is deciding when to wear the
SAD t-shirts distributed for the program.

For example, the students at Christ Child Academy wear the (SAD)
t-shirts every first Wednesday of the month.

"I like wearing my (SAD) t-shirt because it reminds me not to use
drugs," said Laura Lombardo, a third grader from Christ Child Academy.

"The main reason why we have a drug, alcohol and tobacco problem is
because people try to solve their stress with drugs, alcohol and
tobacco," said Officer Priebe, who heads up the program.

The program is designed to identify the problem before it's too late.
Parents are the last to know, while friends can recognize the drug,
alcohol or tobacco abuse earlier, Priebe said.

Seventh grader, Laurel Seagren, from Urban Middle School thinks the
program is a great idea since she recognizes the negative impact of
drugs.

"Drugs are wrong and can really change a person. They can also tear
apart families," says Laurel.

But what can students do to get help for himself or herself or a friend?

Help slips are located in the each of the schools' offices.

They are there to offer to help the student or even their family
needs assessed in order to have a life without drugs.

After the slips are filled out, they are read by the school counselor
who will assist the student by working with the student and parent(s)
to help or prevent future problems, also keeping the situation
confidential.

The counselor provides information that parents need to identify drug
abuse. If the child is under the influence, information on prevention
materials, local resources and possible drug testing is supplied.

So far, the response to the program has been very positive.

SAD might take years to become a fully developed program, but has the
potential to become a very successful one.

Giulianna Sutkiewicz is a seventh-grader at Christ Child Academy in
Sheboygan.