GRANDVIEW PROGRAM TO FIGHT DRUGS, ALCOHOL IS CALLED A BIG SUCCESS

The Hi-Step Program Puts Trained High Schoolers In Elementary- And
Middle-school Classrooms To Speak Out Against Various Destructive Behaviors

When a respected high school student, decked out in school colors and
well-spoken, tells younger children that he doesn't use drugs, "kids
listen," the director of the Grandview School District's Hi-Step program says.

Mary Jo Teets, an English teacher and sponsor of the High School Taught
Education Program at Grandview High School, has 45 student participants
this year out of a total school enrollment of 325. She told the Grandview
School Board Thursday night that Grandview's participation was among the
largest of area high schools'.

In a series of classroom sessions chosen by elementary- and middle-school
teachers, the Hi-Step students are telling the younger students about
substance-abuse prevention, self-esteem, positive lifestyle choices,
avoiding fighting and similar desirable behaviors.

Hi-Step uses training provided by the St. Louis chapter of the National
Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. Participating students pay a small
fee for the basic training at the chapter's Brentwood office.

"We have more students interested than there are available slots," Teets
said. "We are fortunate that all of our schools are on one campus, which
makes it easier for the students to access the other schools."

"Our students aren't paid, but it's a wonderful community service and looks
great on their overall high school record," said Teets, who has sponsored
the program for 10 years.

The NCADA receives United Way funds, donations and state grants. A
spokeswoman at the St. Louis office, affiliated with the National Council
on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency, based in New York, called Teets a
"dedicated participating teacher."

Teets also is leading six Grandview High students this fall on a regular
tutoring program through the Future Teachers of America. Teams of two
students visit elementary classrooms at teachers' request and tutor in
mathematics and reading.