MUSGROVE STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION, DRUG PREVENTION

Ten-year-old Jarvis Gray knows drugs and alcohol are not good for his body.

"We're faced with situations (peer pressure) some times, so we know it's
good to stay away from drugs,"Jarvis said.

His teachers at G.N. Smith Elementary are reiterating the dangers of drugs
and alcohol to students in the classrooms during Red Ribbon National Drug
Prevention Week, now under way.

To help celebrate the week, Gov. Ronnie Musgrove made at stop at the school
Tuesday to talk about the importance of education and being drug-free.

This year's theme is "Freedom from Drugs - Plant the Promise."

"Stay away from drugs," said Musgrove. "Stay away from alcohol and tobacco.
Spend your time finding things you like to do. If you like sports, play sports.

"Get a good education; your teachers care about you. You are our future."

Smith school counselor Cenovia Burnes and the pre-kindergartners welcomed
Musgrove outside the school building with balloons and a gift basket.

After his speech, Musgrove was the first to sign the school's "Wall of
Fame." Jackson Public School Deputy Superintendent Ron Sellers was the
second to sign.

"You are an American hero," Burnes told Musgrove, after the students
released the balloons in the air. "The 100 balloons represent the 100
percent effort you have given in education with your concerns, your efforts
and support."

Burnes said other guests will speak to students this week, and the students
will be doing activities centered on being drug-free.

Said Michael Marshall, 10: "We're going to have a fun week."

Smith Principal Gailya Porter said it's essential to educate the students
on drug prevention.

"It's important that they know the different substance abuses that are out
there in today's society," she said. "We want to carry a banner that says
that G.N. Smith is drug-free."

To help educate the students on being drug-free, Smith fourth-grade teacher
Kathryn Dollarhide said they received information and attended a workshop
from RAT (Reject All Tobacco).

"We're following their curriculum," she said. "We've been working in the
classroom on different projects that are teaching the students about drugs
and being drug-free."