FATHER SHARES ANTI-DRUG MESSAGE

A Bowling Green man who knows firsthand what drugs can do to a person and
their family spoke Tuesday night to elementary school children graduating
from the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program.

Steve Woods' son, Steven, 23, is on death row in Texas for murder. His
father says Steven is in that position because of a need for drugs and
alcohol. Woods told this story to nearly 200 people at the National
Corvette Museum auditorium.

"Steven was a graduate of D.A.R.E., had a normal childhood, just like you
all, but later in life, he got involved in drugs and alcohol. He traveled
around the country searching for drugs. He ended up in Dallas, Texas, and
was involved in murder because he was so wrapped up in drugs," Woods said.

Woods said drugs killed the son he knew. Steven is awaiting execution by
lethal injection.

"I just pray that you parents stay involved in your children's lives and
take what you have learned tonight and keep it in your lives forever,"
Woods said.

The graduation program involved Bristow, North Warren and Oakland
elementary schools.

Warren County Sheriff's Capt. Joe Jakub, project director for prevention
partnership, said the event is a celebration because these kids have made a
commitment to stay drug free.

"Tonight is a celebration of what these kids have learned the past 16
weeks," Jakub said.

Jakub has been involved with D.A.R.E. since its inception nine years ago.

Oakland sixth-grader Jared Wolfe said he wants to be drug free.

"I wanted to show school spirit. It feels weird, but special, to be
graduating tonight," Wolfe said.

Keith Tooley, 12, of Oakland said through D.A.R.E. he learned about harmful
side effects of drugs and why not to use them.

Parent Jim Wallace's daughter, Amy, 11, of Bristow was graduating from D.A.R.E.

"I'm proud of her and proud that the community does this because of what
children have to deal with in society such as drug use. It's good for the
community and I'm excited to be at the Corvette Museum as well," Wallace said.