MARCHES PROTEST DRUG USE

PLAINFIELD-- Crystal Fontaine of Plainfield has seen first hand the
dangers of using illegal drugs.

She said there were people she was close to who had used drugs when
she was younger.

"That threw me off the course for a while," Fontaine said, as she
marched with other members of the Plainfield High School SADD
Students Against Destructive Decisions group in Saturday's Drug-Free
March in three of the town's four villages.

National Event

The marchers, carrying signs and shouting slogans, filled the streets
of Plainfield, Moosup and Wauregan, in celebration of National Red Ribbon Week.

More than 70 participants marched in three separate marches to help
raise awareness of drugs. Children walked, and some rode skateboards,
adults marched and even a dog participated.

A bus picked up people along the way or simply transported those who
couldn't walk.

"This is our 17th year doing this," said Marthe Tetreault,
co-organizer of the Plainfield Committee for Drug-Free Youth. "When
we started these marches, there were more adults than children and
now it's the opposite.

"It's important for regular people to make the point that drugs don't
work," said state Rep. Michael Caron, R-Danielson, who participated
in all three marches.

Marcher Gina Digioia said, "We want to get to more people to raise
drug awareness. I got involved in the march from SADD."

Students in the SADD group at Plainfield High School helped to
organize the march and distributed drug-free ribbons, according to
Jessica Geiger, co-president of SADD. "Don't do drugs; drug-free is
the way to be," said Geiger.

Getting Involved

"I got involved this year because my friend's daughter was murdered
in Florida, and it is speculated to be substance involved," said Tetreault.

Students from area schools walked in the cold morning air carrying
signs that said, "Proud to be Drug-Free" and "The Choice for me is
Drug-Free." They kept warm on the mile-long walks by shouting
anti-drug slogans and waving to spectators and passing motorists.

"We try to make people aware and convince them to use their senses,"
said Tetreault. "Listen to what your kids are talking about and ask
them questions."

This was the second march for Nancy Griffith of Plainfield who said,
"I know a few people who do drugs and I tried to make them not do it."

"We're here today for a drug-free walk, and trying to get people to
realize that drugs are bad," said Ryan Grauer, a student at St.
Bernard High School in Uncasville.

Worthwhile Event

When asked if she thought the march was worthwhile, Tetreault said,
"Yes, if you can save one or two children, it's worth it."

Caron said the problem with statistics compiled on issues such as
drug abuse is the numbers refer only to those using the illegal substances.

"The problem with statistics, is you can't quantify those that don't
start," said Caron.

Be Aware, a popular program students attend each year, is held at The
William W. Backus Hospital in Norwich, and gives the students a
realistic, up-front and personal look at what happens to someone in
an accident who used drugs or alcohol.

During the program, students hear the accident scenario described at
the outset in a hospital conference room. Then they are given a tour
of the emergency room, intensive care unit and finally the morgue.

"It is a very eye-opening experience," said Tetreault. "Even the
tough guys, the football players who walk in full of bravado, are
pretty quiet on the trip back to school."