ALCOHOL, DRUG PROGRAM HELPS AREA KIDS

On May 8, North Central Health Care sponsored its fifth annual Alcohol and
Drug Awareness Day. It was a huge success with approximately 1,000 junior
and senior high students - and even a few adults - attending.

The students were able to visit 30 display booths to learn about the
effects of chemical abuse and discover alternative free-time activities.
They were able to experience what it feels like to be under the influence
by doing activities while wearing intoxication and hallucinogenic glasses
plus other hands-on activities. In addition, they were given the
opportunity to hear from people firsthand what happens as a result of
abusing chemicals and tobacco.

We're very happy with how quickly this event has grown since the first
year, when 150 people attended. A day such as this needs support in many
ways. We've been fortunate that Alcohol Awareness Day has truly become a
community event. Donations were received for financial support and prizes;
much work went into setting up transportation schedules, ordering food,
organizing vendors, arranging speakers, etc. Of course, without the
cooperation of the schools, none of it would have happened. Numerous
businesses donated door prizes for participants - the list is too long to
include. These businesses, vendors, presenters, schools and all the
students made it a great learning event. If we help even one student from
going down the road to alcohol or drug addiction, it will be worth all the
effort.

Karen Klos, Sue Nowak, Barbara Davis and Rhonda Cram, North Central Health
Care Center Premiere Recovery Services, Wausau