FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT

Drug Prevention Should Begin Early

Everything a drug does for you, you can do "naturally" for yourself, Frank
White says.

"Heroin is calming and reduces stress. Running will do that for you. It
releases endorphins."

Cocaine is said to be stimulating.

"You can get that from lifting weights," White adds. "But that takes time,
and it's hard work."

Far too many people, including pre-teens, are looking to drugs for quick
fixes, said the assistant professor in UND's Department of Sociology.
"Drugs are easier. They fit into our fast-paced economy. They fit the
societal environment we grew up in."

Running and lifting weights are healthy activities.

Drugs are deadly.

"It's the one thing you don't know that can kill you," White said. "Some
drugs you can die from the first time. With cocaine, you can die the first
time, the 50th time, the 200th time. It's Russian roulette."

White, who teaches courses on social problems, drugs and society, has
become well-known all over the country for his motivational speaking.

This time, he's speaking at home.

Tuesday, the Grand Forks Parents' Communication Network sponsors a talk by
White to South Middle School seventh- and eighth-graders.

To that age group, he'll talk about non-drug activity -- sports, band,
chorus, urging them to "commit to something better than drugs."

Then from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, White will address adults in the school
gym at 1999 47th Avenue S. Parents, grandparents, the public, all are
welcome.

Among White's messages:

The family is the anti-drug.

The antidote to addiction is education.

"I'm trying inform children and parents about drugs before it becomes a
problem," White says. "It's easier to establish new and healthy attitudes
toward drugs than it is to try to change existing ones. I want to educate
parents. They are the first line of defense before children go to school.
If there is an answer, it's education, and it should begin in first grade."

White stresses that his purpose is not to give a morals lesson.

"It's not your parents speaking," he says to students. And he doesn't set
out to scare anyone. "Students aren't motivated by fear," he says. "As soon
as kids find out you are trying to scare them, you lose credibility."

Instead, White relates true and honest stories of what has happened to well
known people who have used drugs.

"I raise knowledge levels with current statistics, current language,
current events and biographies of people like John Belushi, Chris Farley
and Motley Crue," White says. "When you say 'Motley Crue,' college students
identify with that. It helps to have current names and icons."

To middle and high school students, he talks about education, athletics and
drugs.

"Drugs are an obstacle," White says. "Kids identify with the message.
There's a need for knowledge. I don't know if there are a lot of educators
going into the schools. It's one of the most satisfying things I do."