H-E-B FORUM TO FOCUS ON DRUGS

HURST -- A call for community cooperation in the war against drugs will go
out tonight from L.D. Bell High School to officials from school districts
across North Texas.

Mobilizing residents, schools and health services into a cooperative
anti-drug effort will be the topic at the North Texas Area Association of
School Boards forum hosted by Hurst-Euless-Bedford school district.

"We are trying so hard to share information and share experiences so people
can learn from each other and try to combat this problem in as many ways as
we can," said Betty Hendrickson, president of the association.

The forum at L.D. Bell will include an exhibit of drugs and drug
paraphernalia at 6:30 p.m. Speakers' presentations are scheduled to begin
at 7:30 p.m.

Gardening expert Neil Sperry will talk about how his daughter became
addicted to cocaine as a teen-ager and how she recovered. Sperry's wife,
Lynn, a McKinney school district trustee, will discuss a concept for high
school students re-entering school after going through drug treatment.

State Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, will discuss how the Metroplex has
become an international drug hub.

Mary McCabe, the H-E-B school district's coordinator of student services,
will talk about anti-drug curricula that have been approved by the Texas
Education Agency and about the district's cooperation with the community to
form anti-drug programs.

"The focus this time is on school prevention programs, community prevention
programs and how we can work together to solve this community concern,"
McCabe said.

H-E-B has been at the forefront of the anti-drug effort the past two years
as illegal drugs have claimed the lives of several students and forclaimed
the lives of several students and former students. The death of Kristen
Taylor, daughter of Trustee Tommy Ta

The district has launched several anti-drug initiatives, including public
forums and the creation of safe havens and after-school activities for 200
at-risk fifth- and sixth-graders.

Matt Frazier, (817) 685-3852 Send your comments to frazier@star-telegram.com

What: Combating Substance Abuse, an anti-drug forum of the North Texas Area
Association of School Boards, hosted by Hurst-Euless-Bedford school
district.

Where: L.D. Bell High School auditorium, 1601 Brown Trail, Hurst
When: Exhibits by area law enforcement officials, 6:30 p.m.; speakers'
presentations, 7:30 p.m.

Admission: Free