STUDENTS GET THE MESSAGE: DON'T DO DRUGS

MOSS POINT - More than half the 65 students from Magnolia and Ed Mayo
junior high schools raised their hands when Philip Breithaupt asked
them if they know somebody who has used drugs.

Breithaupt, a director with Mid-America Teen Challenge, and the men of
the program's New Creations choir told their life stories, treated the
students to inspirational gospel and rap lyrics, a skit and free CDs
during a 45-minute program at Ed Mayo on Thursday night. They urged
the students to stay off drugs.

The students, who participated as part of the district's 21st Century
After-School Program, listened quietly as the men told how they let
teen rebellion, anger, low self-esteem, pleasing friends, and their
need for love turn them to drugs, alcohol, gangs, and crime and prison.

The choir members, ages 22 to 40, said Teen Challenge changed their
lives when they turned to Jesus Christ to help them handle
life-controlling problems.

"I think it was very nice because they taught us how to say no to
drugs, and how to build our self-esteem," said Carlos Stallworth, 13,
a student at Magnolia. "They told us what drugs did to them, how they
came out as a result, and how they turned their lives around for God.
They showed us that God loves us and has a plan for us."

Breithaupt said Teen Challenge has an 86 percent success rate because
the program deals with sin and healing the hurts in people's lives
through Jesus Christ.

Members of New Creations, formed in March 1973, are students at a
10-month regional Teen Challenge program in Cape Girardeau, Mo. They
give their testimonials across the U.S. and Canada.

The group has made appearances in several churches in Jackson County
and will be at Ed Mayo again today for a school assembly. Mercy House
Ministries in Hurley will host the group until next week.