YU-CAN COALITION ACTS TO CHANGE DRUG LAWS

YUKON -- Drug and alcohol use are often viewed as a rite of passage for
high school students. But a group of Yukon youth thinks those elements are
the very evils that corrupt and contaminate the true childhood experience.
Instead of merely identifying the problems that come with teen drug and
alcohol use, the Yu-Can Coalition is using the legislative process to get
their message out.

"Seeing the legislative process up close really helps kids understand how
they can change their environment. It empowers them," said Casey Worthen,
student assistance program director with Yukon Public Schools and wife of a
state legislator.

Last year, these high school students lobbied successfully for the state
Keg Identification bill that the Legislature passed. Retailers must now
mark kegs with identification numbers that allow law enforcement officials
to track down the keg's purchaser in cases of underage drinking.

The youth coalition visited legislators several times last year, handing
out buttons and fact sheets about teenage alcohol abuse, to help push the
Keg Identification bill through.

Having an impact The success of last year's legislative efforts has led to
a new cause -- criminalizing the sale of drug paraphernalia. Members of the
Yu-Can Coalition have lent their support to HB 2121, authored by state Rep.
Robert Worthen and supported by the state Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous
Drugs Control and other youth coalitions across the state.

Casey Worthen took 14 high school students to the state Capitol this week
to attend the House Criminal Justice Committee meeting where HB 2121 was
introduced and unanimously passed.

Freshman Kristin Nail said that participating in the legislative process
has been life changing, and she now dreams of having a career in politics.
High school sophomore Sara Bergman believes every teenager should be privy
to the same experience.

"It's really their (teenagers) future on the line. High school use of
tobacco, drugs and alcohol has such a harmful effect," Bergman said. "It's
a really good feeling to be involved and have an impact."

Freshman Tyler Deckard worked on the Keg ID campaign last year and met
various state senators and representatives, as well as Gov. Brad Henry.

But learning how government works and how his efforts can lead to positive
change has left Deckard wanting to do more. His commitment to a drug- and
alcohol-free life led to his support of HB 2121.

Current state law prohibits the sale of paraphernalia, but loopholes exist.
Instead of being known as "head shops" and selling bongs, roach clips,
marijuana pipes and finger scales, many retailers have disguised their
wares as tobacco-related products, possibly to avoid prosecution.

The new list proposed in HB 2121 amends existing law to criminalize the
sale of bongs, water pipes, glass or ceramic pipes, hidden or novelty
pipes, and any pipe that has a tobacco bowl or chamber of less than 1/2
inch in diameter, Casey Worthen said.

Yukon youth are also actively seeking to raise awareness about teenage
drinking and working with local alcoholic beverage retailers to eliminate
occurrences of selling alcohol to minors by giving merchants stickers and
displays supporting "Project Under 21."

Despite the allure of the effect drugs and alcohol have on many teenagers,
these youth are committed to making drugs, alcohol and tobacco less
accessible to children through legislation and providing support to their
peers by being positive role models.