LOCAL GRADE SCHOOL GOING BEYOND 'JUST SAY NO'

Strathmore Elementary pupils are learning not just how but why they
should say no to illegal drugs in the 10-week Too Good For Drugs
program, which teachers started including in their kindergarten
through fifth grade classes Nov. 19.

"It's gone beyond 'Just Say No,'" said Barbara Johnson, Strathmore's
program coordinator. "The program helps the kids figure out why they
might want to do drugs, and to think about that situation."

Johnson trained teachers for the 10-week program, which gets children
to think about the things that make them feel good or bad and what
they can do about them in a fashion that bolsters their self-esteem.

Basically the program teaches school children the are "too good to
get involved" in illegal drugs, said Tom Byars of the Tulare County
Office of Education, who trained Strathmore teachers with Johnson.

"That's where the name comes from," said Byars, who said teaching the
program meets a condition placed on Strathmore for getting money from
the state's safe and drug-free schools fund.

Too Good For Drugs is the only anti-drug program designed to reach
kindergartners through high school seniors, said Byars, with each
grade's curriculum building on the previous year.

Examples are taught with devices ranging from hand puppets to skits
pupils write themselves, depending on their grade level, said Barbara Johnson.

On Friday fourth graders were getting a lesson in how to set goals
and working with thinking about ways to accomplish them.

"I want you think to for a minute about friends," Scott Oppenhuizen
told his class, illustrating supportive "goal boosters" with a space
shuttle analogy.

"The astronauts are successful because the booster rocket helped them
achieve their goal," said Oppenhuizen. "That's what a goal booster
is, they help you achieve your goals; you need friends like that."

In Janie Hamilton's fourth grade class, her students were discussing
ways they could be goal boosters for others.

"To respect other people," said Ana Laura Garcia when asked what she
learned in class that morning.

"To help your dad do stuff around the house," answered Raul Carranza.

Strathmore fifth grade teacher David Johnson said he thinks the
program will prove more effective than earlier anti-drug programs.

"It focuses on self esteem, not just 'don't take that drug, it will
kill you,'" said Johnson. "It provides alternatives."

That approach has produced some straight-talking dialog, said
Johnson, letting his pupils feel comfortable talking about a subject
they might otherwise be guarded about.

"One little boy raised his hand and his uncle had said that marijuana
was a natural drug, and tobacco wasn't," recalled Johnson.

"He felt comfortable talking about that, so I let it play out," said
Johnson, who said he explained to the boy why he didn't need
marijuana without being judgmental. "I think he came away with a
better understanding of it."