'PREVENTION IS KEY'

If You Want To See The Effect That Alcohol Can Have On The Body Or
Brain, Try Pouring Rubbing Alcohol On A Raw Egg.

That was the illustration Amber Freeman of Community Connections used
to encourage students at Washington Elementary to remain drug free
during a special Kids Klub Red Ribbon Week presentation Monday.

"Red Ribbon Week is a time for schools to talk about drug
prevention," said Freeman, who is the substance abuse prevention
coordinator for Community Connections.

Freeman and other staff members from Community Connections talked to
Kids Klub members about the dangers of drugs in all forms and the
importance of substance abuse prevention at an early age.

"Prevention is key," said Tammy Malone, tobacco coalition coordinator
for Community Connection. "It's better to be proactive instead of reactive."

She noted it is important to encourage kids to remain drug free when
they are young. By the time they are 11 years old, it may be too late
because of peer pressure and other social factors.

Freeman noted it is also important for kids to realize how deceptive
advertising can be for alcohol or tobacco products. While these
advertisements are targeted at adults, they can have a tremendous
influence on kids.

"Media advertising is so powerful," Freeman said.

To help kids see the damaging effect of alcohol on the body and
brain, Freeman poured rubbing alcohol on a raw egg. Within minutes,
the egg began to discolor and turn a pale white with the look of
cottage cheese.

Malone also stressed that nicotine in tobacco is another type of
drug. She stated tobacco has 4,000 hazardous chemicals, of which 40
are known to cause cancer.

The purpose of the Monday's Red Ribbon event was twofold, according to Freeman.

"We want kids, No. 1, to realize that drugs are not healthy," she said.

Secondly, Community Connections wanted the kids to realize that there
are people out in the community who are working to keep residents
safe from the harmful effects of drugs.

So the organization presented special awards to law enforcement
officers Troy Erickson of the North Platte Police Department, Season
Trevino of the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office and Jeffery Rogers of
the Nebraska State Patrol for their drug enforcement efforts.

Erickson, who is the crime prevention coordinator for the North
Platte Police Department, is best known for his work in coordinating
the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program.

Trevino was recognized for her work as a DARE instructor and
volunteer for many DARE programs. Rogers, who is from Broken Bow, was
honored for being a member and co-chair of Safe Communities for Custer County.

Community Connections Executive Director Jayna Schaaf said this is
the first year they have recognized law enforcement officers during
Red Ribbon Week.

She said they hope to make it an annual event because there are a lot
of individuals that contribute to substance abuse prevention in the community.

Community Connections will take its drug free message to other
schools this week. The staff will meet with fifth, sixth and 12th
grade students in Hershey on Wednesday and K-12 students in
Sutherland on Friday.