COALITION MEMBERS PROVIDE DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAMS

PRINCETON - A local group working with young people learned about a drug
abuse prevention program for children Tuesday morning.

Veterans Against Drugs representatives Dave and Elaine Simmons spoke to the
COFY (Creating Opportunities For Youth) Coalition at the Work Force West
Virginia Building.

The special presentation was part of COFY's regular monthly meeting.

Elaine Simmons said the nationally-based Veterans Against Drugs is
sponsored locally by Vietnam Veterans of America Blue-Gray Chapter No. 628.

She and Dave are both affiliated with the Princeton veterans group. Dave
Simmons is also a member of the National Veterans Against Drugs Committee.

Elaine Simmons said the anti-drug program is based on six core values:
Respect and camaraderie, loyalty and compassion, honesty and integrity,
meaningful achievement, advocacy and patriotism.

Veterans volunteering with the program visit local classrooms to share
their military experiences and promote these values, she said.

At Glenwood School, one of the participating schools, fifth graders are
learning about patriotism, she said.

"We hope that if we keep them involved in these core values, they are less
likely to become involved in drugs," she said.

This is the third year Veterans Against Drugs has been offered in Mercer
County.

Dave Simmons said 275 students will graduate from the program this year.

He said a graduation ceremony will be held May 14 at Princeton Town Square
and the Blue-Gray Chapter's offices on Mercer Street.

Prior to the ceremony, students will visit the Vietnam Memorial at the
Princeton Tourist Information Center and the Those Who Served War Museum in
Princeton.

"Then we'll bring them to our building for a big graduation party," Dave
Simmons said.

The guest speakers showed COFY members cards made by participating students
that will be sent to patients in an area veterans hospital.

"They are expressing their compassion for what the veterans are going
through," Elaine Simmons said.

"Thank you for fighting for our freedom," one child wrote.

"Get well soon" and "remember our heroes," said others.

The cards, hand colored in red, white and blue, featured American flags,
eagles and other patriotic symbols.

Dave Simmons said the Vietnam Veterans are planning to offer an
anti-violence program to area school children.

In other COFY business, Greg Puckett, chairperson of the coalition, said
another mock trial is being planned for the Mercer County Teen Court.

The trial would be open to the community so parents, COFY members, the news
media and other groups could learn more about the program, he said.

Teen Court offers an alternative to formal court proceedings for some
juvenile offenders. Area teenagers volunteer to hear the cases acting as
jurors, defense and prosecuting attorneys, clerks and bailiffs. The cases
are judged by local practicing attorneys.

South Bluefield Neighborhood Association representative Blaine Braithwaite
said his organization is working on "alternative sentencing programs" for
Teen Court.

He said teenagers convicted in the court could do community service with
the association.

This would include helping with maintenance of three neighborhood parks in
the South Bluefield area, he said.

"This would be a way of holding the youth accountable for their actions,"
he said.

Braithwaite said organizers hope to have plans for the project completed by
the end of March.