CONFERENCE TO CONVINCE TEENS TO STAY OFF DRUGS

SAN BERNARDINO -- Students from around the county will gather at Cajon High
School on Saturday for an all-day conference aimed at convincing them they
don't need to be high to have a good time.

The school will be host for the ninth annual San Bernardino Youth to Youth
Conference, with the theme "Drug-Free 2000!"

"Expect a lot of fun and a lot of people," said Kevin Wright, program
director for San Bernardino Communities Against Drugs, which is sponsoring
the event.

Wright said he expects more than 400 students to attend.

"The conference is essentially a leadership meeting to get kids to
celebrate being drug-free," he said.

The conference is open to all students in eighth through 12th grades and
adults who work with them. Among the topics scheduled for discussion in
workshop settings are gangs, drugs, self-esteem, leadership, friendship and
personal improvement.

Teen-agers also will have a chance to dance and socialize as well as
discuss serious issues facing middle- and high-school students.

"It allows kids to see how many other kids are drug free, to see they're
not alone," Wright said. "For the kids that are using (drugs) that come to
the conference, it allows them to see how much fun you can have."

The conference will feature keynote speaker Tom Reither, who has given
presentations around the globe on "Positive Experiences and Powerful
Memories."