MAKING CHILDREN, TEENS DRUG-FREE

If Coons had his way, every Hobbema parent would emblazon their
vehicle with bumper stickers reading, "My kid's on the drug free team."

Coons, a member of the Winnebago tribe of Nebraska, has been
motivating young aboriginal youth since 2001.

"In three years, these 48 students will change your reservation,"
Coons said.

The 48 students took part in his drug awareness workshop, Save the
Child, Save the Teen. The program was geared towards students from
grades 4 to 6.

Some of the more elucidating words were from facilitator Barry
Johnson, saying bullying and other peer pressure, "starts at home,
and then progresses into school."

Young Brittany Waskahat gave her presentation of What I Learned in
this Program, mentioning problems like FASD, fetal alcohol spectrum
disorder.

Coon's program is delivered with the help of curriculum designer
Vicente de la Garza, a member of the Jicarilla Apache Nation. The two
use an "early intervention model."

Kids acted out what they learned in front of a huge audience, which
included many proud parents.

"It's an early start and a beginning," said mother Tammy Crier, whose
children, 10-year-old Tamra and nine-year-old Taylar proudly held
their certificates aloft.

"As the years go by, I hope this program continues."

After teams pledged allegiance to stay drug free, each student was
presented with a certificate embossed with a gold seal.

The plays were the product of a three-hour course held at Goldeye
Centre, West of Nordegg. A more intensive training is to follow.

We can look forward to the day the Four Nations will be drug free,
Coons said, but the "my kid's on the drug free team" bumper stickers
would be a start.