GULFPORT STUDENTS RUN FROM DRUGS

GULFPORT - Students from Pass Road Elementary and Bayou View
Elementary literally ran from drugs Friday morning as part of their
Red Ribbon Week activities.

Students from both schools gathered in the gym at Pass Road Elementary
and saw a demonstration by a police dog and heard from police officers
and U.S. Congressman Gene Taylor about how important it is to stay
away from drugs.

Lt. Alfred Sexton with the Gulfport Police Department declared Friday
"Running Away from Drugs Day" in the city and presented principals
from both schools with plaques.

Angel Stevens, a deputy with the Harrison County Sheriff's Department,
showed students a demonstration from a criminal apprehension dog, Noikay.

"We're not trying to hurt anybody," she told them. "We're just trying
to catch the bad guys."

Taylor asked the students what would be happening in two months. Many
students hollered out, "the election," but Taylor actually was talking
about Christmas.

He said the best Christmas present is for children to tell their
parents they won't do drugs.

"If you mean it, that will be the best Christmas present or birthday
present you can give your parents," Taylor said.

After the program, about 300 third-fourth- and fifth-graders from
both schools hit the pavement and ran to Bayou View Elementary and
back.