GROOVIN' AGAINST DRUGS

Concert Attempts To Raise Drug Awareness; Give Positive
Message

A small but enthusiastic crowd of about 150 gathered Saturday night at
the first Athletes and Entertainers Against Drug Use in Schools
concert, featuring Curtis Clay of the Platters.

"I thought it went great," Deron Clay, Rockdale ISD coach and owner of
Fit 22, a fitness and health company. "It made some people aware and
gave us something to build on."

The event was organized to raise funds for the group which, Clay said,
eventually hopes to establish a YMCA-like youth facility and offer
scholarships.

"We may be able to offer a small scholarship this year," he said. "We
want to make this thing grow every year."

Clay's brother Curtis is a member of the Platters and entertained the
crowd with 1970s soul and rhythm and blues tunes with his band.
Audience members danced to everything from the Commodores to the
Temptations.

Also performing songs were Amber Robertson and Heather
Betchan.

Clay said he is not attempting to spotlight a problem that exists only
in Rockdale ISD, but one that is found throughout the nation. Drug
and alcohol use by high school and junior high students.

"I think a lot of parents may have had their own experiences but it
was so long ago, they don't really think about it now," Clay said.
"Many parents are not aware of how easy it is to get drugs around town."

EXAMPLE

Also on the program was Jacob Garza, who told the crowd a story he
read years ago influenced his decision to stay drug-free throughout
school.

Garza, a 2003 honor graduate who will play football at Mary
Hardin-Baylor, said the story was about a high school kid who smoked
marijuana and killed three people in a wreck.

"It's one bad decision that guy made and it shows how you can make one
bad choice that can mess up your whole life," he said.

Zach Porter, 15, a sophomore athlete, told the crowd in an emotional
speech that he had a bad experience when he smoked pot laced with PCP
and formaldehyde.

"Drug dealers are ruthless. They are not your friends and they just
want your money," he said. Porter said he wanted to share his story as
an example to others and said the bad experience has changed him for
the better.

"The guys I thought were my friends were the ones I smoked pot with,"
he said. "But my real friends were the ones telling me not to do it."

Clay said there are plenty of people in Rockdale schools who will help
when students are faced with tough decisions concerning drugs and alcohol.

"You can come talk to me, talk to Angela White or any other
counselor," he said. "We understand what you guys and girls are going
through."

MOTHER

Clay also recognized his mother, Freddie Jones, whom he termed "a
great influence."

"She's the reason we turned out like we did," Clay said. "She kept us
away from drugs and alcohol. We are blessed to have a mother like her."