TV SHOW ZEROES IN ON DRUG ABUSE

Local television anchors are going back to school.

Actually, they already have. And you can see on local TV stations the
work they have done with students at four Lane County high schools.

The half-hour special, to be broadcast Sunday at 6 p.m., is the
seventh annual "One Voice: Media United Against Drugs."

The special is a collaboration between the Lane Education Service
District, Lane County Health and Human Services, all major television
network stations based in Lane County and Eugene area radio stations.

The goal is to provide the community with a way to prevent, treat and
diminish drug and alcohol use and abuse - and its consequences.

For this year's special, the four local TV stations - KVAL, KEZI,
KMTR and KLSR - adopted a high school's audiovisual class this past fall.

Local anchors mentored the students as they planned, organized,
filmed, edited and produced vignettes about how drugs and alcohol can
affect high school students' lives.

The students interviewed their peers, parents and others, capturing
how to make healthy choices and be alcohol- and drug-free in high school.

The program includes four pieces of about six minutes, each produced
by the students at Thurston, Oakridge, Junction City and Sheldon high
schools. The pieces showcase tips, ideas and strategies parents can
use to encourage dialogue, interaction and involvement between
themselves and their children.

"It was just really remarkable to hear all of the different stories
that came out of the high schools," said Brinda Narayan-Wold of the
Lane County Coalition to Prevent Substance Abuse. "I think we're
going to see four very different approaches."

Thurston High students worked with Rick Dancer of KEZI on a piece
titled "Get Involved." It focuses on establishing a regular weekly
routine to do something with your child, whether it's going out for
ice cream or a movie. It's suggested that parents get to know their
children's friends and parents, so you're familiar with their
activities, and to eat meals together regularly.

Oakridge High students worked with Jennifer Winters of KVAL on a
piece titled "Learn to Communicate," focusing on how to be a better
listener, how to ask questions of your child and how to encourage them.

The piece talks about how to give honest answers, how to react in a
way that won't cut off discussion, how to be absolutely clear what
your values are and how to communicate them to your child.

Junction City High students worked with Bob Broderick of KLSR on a
piece titled, "Walk the Walk," focusing on how parents can examine
their own behavior and be role models.

Sheldon High students worked with Matt Templeton on KMTR on a piece
titled "Lay Down the Law," about setting limits and creating rules
for children when it comes to drugs and alcohol. The focus is on
discussing in advance the consequences of breaking rules and how to
make expectations clear.

National statistics say that children who learn from their parents
and other caring adults about the risks of drugs and alcohol are
about 36 percent less likely to smoke marijuana than children who do
not, and 50 percent less likely to use inhalants.

In Oregon, children are about 50 percent less likely to use alcohol
if their parents disapprove, according to a 2000 drug-use survey.

TELEVISION PREVIEW
One Voice: Media United Against Drugs
What: Seventh annual local TV special to combat drug and alcohol use
and abuse among teenagers
When: 6 p.m. Sunday
Channels: KEZI, KVAL, KMTR, KLSR, KEVU and Lane County Metro Television