'THEY'RE OUT TO HURT US'

Students Warned To Be Wary Of Drugs And Those Who Sell
Them

MONONGAH - Some special visitors came to Monongah Elementary Tuesday
to encourage students to stay off drugs.

West Virginia State Police Trooper John McDougal, Marion County
Sheriff's Deputy Sgt. Todd Cole and Fairmont Police Cpl. Donnie Neal,
the city DARE officer, spoke to students Tuesday afternoon.

It's all part of this week's drug-awareness activities. This week is
red-ribbon drug awareness week. Activities are held all week long in
schools all over Marion County and the state to warn children of the
dangers of drug abuse.

The officers were greeted by a sea of children all wearing red shirts.
Principal Carolyn Kerr explained each day this week has a theme,
encouraging kids to get in the spirit of staying away from drugs.

Part of any drug-awareness campaign is teaching children to be wary of
drugs and those who sell them.

"People who deal drugs aren't nice people; they're out to hurt us,"
Kerr told the students. "These policemen are our friends. They're here
to make sure nothing hurts us and to protect us."

Neal said a drug is defined as any substance that when you put it into
your body it affects the way your mind and body react. He also
explained everyday things, like caffeine, are drugs.

Not all drugs are bad, Neal said. He explained the difference between
street drugs and helpful drugs, which are prescribed by a doctor and
when taken correctly can help you.