CHELMSFORD SCHOOLS TO ADDRESS DRUG ISSUE

CHELMSFORD The Chelmsford Coalition Against Drugs formed earlier this
year after guest speaker Bruce Talbot made waves in town with his
presentation on "club drugs."

Six months later, the coalition is gearing up for its first major
event: another presentation by Talbot.

Talbot, a retired Chicago-area drug-enforcement officer, will talk to
high-school and middle-school students and parents, as well as local
police officers, about the dangers of illegal drugs like heroin and
marijuana.

Heroin in particular has been on the rise in Massachusetts in recent
years due to low prices and a prevalence of high-purity heroin in
powder form, which is more attractive to young people.

"We have a continuing concern about students' experimentation with a
variety of drugs," Superintendent of Schools Richard Moser said. "Our
first line of action is to educate students on the consequences, both
physical and legal, for the use of illegal substances."

Talbot will be in town during the week of Oct. 18-22, officially
dubbed "Drug Awareness Week" by the Board of Selectmen. He will
separately address middle-school students and police officers on
Monday, Oct. 18, and hold sessions at Chelmsford High School on
Thursday, Oct. 21.

Later that day, Talbot will conduct an adult-oriented presentation for
all interested citizens at 7 p.m., at the McCarthy Middle School. His
visit will wrap up the next day with another presentation for
middle-school students.

The School Department is requiring that students obtain parental
permission to attend Talbot's session because of "the sensitive nature
of the discussion."

According to Larry Khirallah, founder of the anti-drug coalition, the
group is selling blue wristbands bearing the words "live smart" at
public buildings, such as Town Hall and the Chelmsford Library, and in
public schools. The money raised will help fund Talbot's
appearances.

The coalition is co-sponsoring Drug Awareness Week with the school and
police departments, as well as the Chelmsford Council of Schools.