DEMO BRINGS TO LIFE RED RIBBON WEEK

Students at Asbury Junior High School got a special treat this week as part
of their celebrating Red Ribbon Week.

All during the week, the students participated in Red Ribbon Week learning
about the dangers of drugs and how to remain drug-free. On Wednesday, the
students gathered at the back of the school and watched the sky for the
arrival of some very special visitors.

Shortly after 2 p.m., a black helicopter flew in with two members of the
Marshall County Drug Enforcement Unit perched on the skids of the aircraft.

After pilot Dan Smith got the helicopter into position, DEU Agent Geoff
Booth left his position on the skids and rappelled to the asphalt below.
Booth was followed by DEU Director Rob Savage, who also made it safely to
the ground.

The students sat mesmerized during the demonstration awed by the fact their
visitors had made such a grand entrance.

After Smith landed the copter and he and Marshall County District Attorney
Steve Marshall exited the vehicle, the students greeted them as well as
Booth and Savage with a rousing round of applause.

"I thought it was pretty cool. I liked how they slid down the ropes," said
sixth grader Brittany Mayo.

Marshall, who addressed the students and faculty first, said Booth, Savage
and other members of the DEU as well as other law enforcement agencies
"work hard to take drugs off the streets." Marshall encouraged the
youngsters when they see DEU agents or police officers to introduce
themselves and tell them how much they appreciate the work they do.

In addition, Marshall thanked the students for joining in the fight against
drugs and encouraged them to uphold their commitment to remain drug-free.

"We can't do it alone. We need help, and we want you on our team. Go home
and tell your parents what you saw today and tell them why it's important
they help you to keep your commitment," Marshall said.

Following Marshall, Savage shared with the children that the demonstration
he and Booth performed is an example of one way DEU agents serve search
warrants - a fact that made an impact on sixth grader Tiffany Sauls.

"It looks like it would be fun. I think I might like to go into that kind
of work," she said.

While it might appear to be fun to leap from a helicopter, Savage reminded
the students that their job is to go after criminals who are part of the
county's very active drug trade.

"We're the good guys, and we want you to be part of the good guys' team. We
need all the help we can get to be able to stop the bad guys," he said.

Principal Bill Aaron, who said the DEU also participated in last year's Red
Ribbon Week festivities, said being able to see first hand what the agents
do leaves a lasting impression with the children.

"It get the kids excited about what we're trying to teach them. Having the
helicopter here is a very exciting experience that kind of brings out the
kid in all of us," he said.

Sixth grader Paul McKee said he was very excited by Smith's demonstration
of his flying skills as well as seeing Booth and Savage rappel down from
the helicopter. However, he was a bit concerned for the safety of the
agents' hands.

"I really liked it when he flew around and did all those tricks, and I
liked it when they slid down the ropes, but I wonder if they wear gloves
because that looks like it would hurt," McKee said.