MUSKOGEE HIGH STUDENTS RAID YOUTH DRUG USE

School Program Sends Kids Out To Warn About Narcotics

A group of Muskogee High School students is operating on impulse, but their
message against illegal drugs is a priority for the health of the community.

"We're notorious for making it up as we go, but it's more fun for us that
way," said Tyler Hammons of Roughers Against Illegal Drugs, a student-led
program to promote a drug-free environment.

He said the organization often arranges programs at area elementary schools
on a moment's notice.

Muskogee High School Principal Madison Tomlinson, RAID's co-sponsor, agreed
with Hammons.

"The members usually have an affinity for where they came from," he said.

"If they came from Creek Elementary, they usually want to go there, but
they have freedom to approach any ideas that come up."

Tomlinson said Hammons and his friend, Matt Price, arranged a poster
contest Friday at Creek Elementary, and the winning class got an ice cream
party.

Hammons, who is in his first year in the group, said he learned of the
organization through a friend and became interested after learning members
were sometimes allowed a day out of school to present a program at a school.

After joining, he said, he realized his concern for his community
overshadowed any excused absences.

"I love Muskogee," he said. "I know every city has its problems, but my
personal goal is to keep the community drug-free."

Tomlinson said RAID holds a training session for potential members each
fall, and the First Baptist Church was the site for the last one.

"We had 100 come out for the training, but only 60 stayed with it," he said.

He acknowledged that with any organization, not everyone who expresses
interest ends up joining, but students like Hammons and Price say they're
extremely committed.

Hammons said the commitment can be too much for a student.

"We sign an honor agreement to stay drug- and alcohol-free," he said. "And
it takes a little out of your personal time. You have to be totally committed."

Tomlinson said elementary students enjoy having the RAID students come to
their school because they look up to high schoolers and need positive role
models.

"They never respond as well with adults as they do the high school
students," he said.

"The students are where the fourth-graders want to be -- they look up to them."

Hammons said the children always ask for more at the end of the program.

"They asked us when we were coming back," he said of Friday's program.

"It's an awesome feeling when they want us to come back."

Although the program receives a positive response, Hammons said reality
still hits home sometimes.

"Most of them won't be drug-free when they get older," he said. "You don't
want to tell the truth sometimes because the majority of students at the
high school are smokers or have tasted alcohol."

Tomlinson said the RAID students' objective is to show the children "I'm
living this kind of life and you can, too."

"We started out with a drug-free emphasis," he said, "but in recent years
we have focused more on a character emphasis."

He added that the goal is to show a person can lead a life of virtue and
that core values are important.

"RAID plays a small part, but it's an important part," he said.

Echoing Tomlinson's message, Hammons said he realizes the children are
looking up to RAID members and he wants to show the younger students they
too can do it.

"They hang on our every word," he said. "They love having us around. We
just do what we can do."

If You're Interested

If your organization or school is interested in arranging a program with
Roughers Against Illegal Drugs, you can reach Madison Tomlinson at Muskogee
High School, 684-3750, Ext. 1755.