AREA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO GET A 'BACKSTAGE PASS'

UPPER THUMB -- A backstage pass -- what many teens dream of nabbing
at a concert to sneak a peek at the life of an idol. This fall, area
high school students will get such passes, but instead of rubbing
elbows with the famous, they'll come face to face with the realities
of making dangerous decisions -- with the help of some
celebrities.

Huron County Safe Communities Coalition has worked on projects
involving senior citizens in the past, but now the coalition is
turning its focus on a different at-risk group -- teenagers, those
who can be easily influenced and pressured to do things that could
endanger their lives or the lives of others. Such things include
drinking and driving and illegal drug use. Seeing the dire need to
address young people's issues, the coalition found a powerful way to
get an important message across -- a high-energy, multimedia
presentation presented on three huge screens with plenty of music,
movie clips, celebrity guests, and everyday teens. The presentation
is larger than life, but the message is all about real life.

"It's a very exciting project," said Kathie Harrison, one of the 16
members of the Safe Communities Coalition. "Teen alcohol use and
drinking and driving is a real risk for everyone in the community."

She said with two local high schools -- Lakers and Bad Axe -- hosting
town hall meetings about the dangers and consequences of alcohol and
drug use, this shows the strong interest in the community regarding
these significant issues.

The multimedia presentation, called "Backstage Pass," is from Mothers
Against Driving Drunk (MADD) in partnership with Daimler Chrysler and
the American Legacy Foundation. The show follows three teens at a
rock concert as they go backstage to discover some realities about
life. The program features riveting content presented by teens. The
facts, statistics, music and movie clips all support the stories and
anti-drug messages. The program provides positive alternatives for
teens to take advantage of in their area. Famous athletes provide
encouraging words while teen television and music stars such as Chris
Carmack from the Fox TV show "The OC" and TV star/singer Hilary Duff
talk about pressures involved in being a teen. One of the key
messages in the presentation states teens shouldn't buy into the
glamorous hype presented in Hollywood about alcohol and drug use;
teens should be themselves and not be pressured to fit in by drinking
and doing drugs. The progr! am promotes informed choices and
responsible decision-making.

Harrison said the coalition hopes these messages get through to area
teens and the presentation ignites plenty of discussion.

"We will have contracts for the students to take home," she said,
noting both students and parents will be asked to sign the contracts
that set positive guidelines for everyone and encourage discussions
about the dangers of alcohol and drug use.

"Parents modeling positive behavior is one of the biggest assets,"
she said. Workbooks will be provided to students as well as a variety
of information for students to take with them. Huron County Sheriff's
Office Deputy/Community Program Director Tom Morneau will be the
emcee during the presentation, Harrison said. The coalition members
aren't the only ones excited about the project.

"Area principals are very enthusiastic," Harrison said.

Bad Axe High School Principal Wayne Brady is one principal who's
looking forward to the presentation.

"It will be a continuation of our town hall meeting," he
said.

Brady said he heard about the presentation from the school's liaison
officer Marc Bridson, who told Brady it will really impact the
students because of the multimedia format.

"He said it's really a neat program," Brady said. "Anything you can
do for kids (to promote being) against drugs and alcohol is so important."

He said all of the Bad Axe High School students will attend the
presentation. As if the exciting presentation isn't enough to entice
students, door prizes will be available for students to win when they
attend.

The first presentation will be at Unionville-Sebewaing Area High
School on Oct. 30. From there, the presentation will be presented to
Huron County high schools until Nov. 2. Each presentation will be one
hour, and a four-question post test will be included. Each
presentation costs more than $700, and Harrison said the coalition is
writing a grant through the Michigan Office of Highway Safety
Planning to help pay for the presentations. The coalition is
receiving funding from the state's Prevention Network for the
workbooks. The Adolescent Health Grant program of Harbor Beach
Community Hospital and Harbor Beach Community Schools is assisting
with the project as well.

"We're also looking for funds from community organizations and
businesses," Harrison said.

She said she's looking forward to hearing what students think of the
presentation and what they get out of it.

"It's a very serious subject, but we want it to be a fun opportunity
for the students," she said. "It's an opportunity for them to make
healthy choices and learn what the consequences are (of unhealthy
choices)."

The Huron County Safe Communities Coalition's primary goals are to
prevent traffic crashes, violence and substance abuse in order to
increase quality of life in the county.

To donate to this anti-drug project, contact Kathie Harrison at (989)
269-1429. To find out more about "Backstage Pass," visit the website
www.schoolassembly.org.