ROSSFORD OFFICER EARNS NATIONAL AWARD FOR ANTI-DRUG MESSAGES TO CHILDREN

Some people head to the break room when they are having a bad day at work.

Bill Hamilton, a Rossford police officer in charge of drug education and
prevention in the city's public schools, sets his sights on the nearest
kindergarten classroom.

"If things aren't going well for me on a certain day I always end up in a
kindergarten class," he said. "When Officer Bill walks in there I get all
the hugs anybody could ever want to have."

Earlier this month Officer Hamilton received the 2003 Enrique Camarena
Award for his efforts to keep kids drug-free. Ohio Parents for a Drug Free
Youth give the award annually to a person who has made a significant
contribution to alcohol, tobacco and drug prevention.

The award is named in honor of Enrique Camarena, an undercover Drug
Enforcement Administration agent who was able to infiltrate and break up
several drug trafficking bands around the world. Agent Camarena was
murdered in 1985 by drug dealers in Mexico. For many in the drug abuse
prevention field, Enrique Camarena's story proves that one person can make
a difference in the War on Drugs.

As Rossford students of all ages know, Officer Hamilton's message goes far
beyond "just say no." The 50-year-old father of three who relishes his
visits with Rossford's pupils believes one of the best prevention methods
is simply letting kids know someone cares about them. "I want them to
succeed and I believe in each and every one of them," Officer Hamilton said.

For the past 10 years, Officer Hamilton has been assigned to the classroom,
teaching kids not only about drugs, but also encouraging students to make
smart and safe decisions.

Officer Hamilton runs Drug Abuse Resistance Education programs for first,
fifth, seventh, and ninth graders. He is also involved in "Hooked on
Fishing-Not on Drugs," a prevention program aimed at fourth-graders.

Students need to receive an anti-drug message at every stage of their
school career, Officer Hamilton said. "They know there are dangers out
there and they need to be informed." He said he is satisfied when he can
walk out of a classroom knowing that his message was heard. "When and if I
can make a difference in one kid's life, then it is worth everything that
we put in these programs. It's just neat to see kids become successful as a
result of it."

Jim Snider, a drug prevention specialist with the Wood County Education
Service Center, said working with kids is more than a job for Officer
Hamilton. It's a passion. "Most of us know how to talk about prevention,"
said Mr. Snider, who nominated Officer Hamilton for the award. "But Bill
makes it personal."