RED RIBBONS AND DRUG EDUCATION

One veteran law enforcement agent believes drug education is something
that should be a regular part of the curriculum in schools and not
just done during special times like Red Ribbon Week.

That was one the points made this week by Dub Turner, who brought a
very serious drug prevention message to Pauls Valley's junior high
students.

Local schools brought in different speakers and offered a variety of
activities as part of this week's Red Ribbon campaign, which is the
oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the country.

At PVJH it was Turner and a hard-hitting presentation to students on
the physical, emotional and social impact of drugs. He believes these
types of programs should be more common place in schools.

"We have to start with the education of our kids and change the
thought process when it comes to drugs," Turner said.

"I have found many kids have never had drug education at school. A
majority of schools in Oklahoma don't have drug education," he said.

"About the only time they hear about drug education is during Red
Ribbon Week. That's not enough. They don't hear the reality of drugs."

According to Turner, drug education programs are not typically a part
of most schools because of curriculum mandates and limited funding.

Turner, retired as an agent with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, now
serves as the agency's program director for a drug awareness group
that goes to schools for free and presents the anti-drug message to
students.

The group is currently working toward getting more instructors and
making their presentations a regular thing at schools.

"We're looking to get more (instructors) at no cost to taxpayers; to
work toward establishing drug education programs in schools throughout
the state," Turner said.

As for this week's presentation to local junior high school students,
Turner said it's a blend of facts about the effects of illegal drugs
and first-hand stories he's experienced as a longtime narcotics agent.

"We're not trying to scare them. We're trying to give them the facts,
give them the things they will face if they go down that road of
drugs," he said.

"We want them to have the right information to make better choices."