OFFICERS TALK TO CHILDREN ABOUT DRUGS

As the uniformed kids gathered around the pool table at the Boys and Girls
Club, they crowded in closely for a better look at the illegal drugs spread
on the green felt before them.

"That's real crack there," Lt. Chuck Muse said as he leaned and placed both
hands on the pool table. "It will really mess your life up." It was all
part of a presentation by the Southeast Chapter of the Magnolia Peace
Officers meant to familiarize kids with dealing with police officers,
recognizing drugs and practicing safety near railroads. Mandeville police
officer Ben White, president of the Southeast Chapter, along with Muse and
Sgt. Joyce Allen of the Hammond Police Department met at the Boys and Girls
Club at 311 S. Oak St. Wednesday afternoon to lend their expertise on law
and safety. They were joined by Joy Elliot, St. Tammany Parish sheriff's
officer first class, and Bobby Carter of Hammond City Court's Juvenile
Division.

The first presentation the kids heard was from Special Agent Morris Evans
with the Canadian National Railroad, who promoted Operation Lifesaver,
train safety information for kids.

After watching a cartoon video, the 20 kids ranging from elementary to
junior high all got coloring books, Lifesaver mints, rulers, bumper
stickers and key chains with the Operation Lifesaver design.

After passing out striped engineer hats, Morris told the kids, "Don't play
around railroad tracks, OK?"

Muse helped bend and shape the hats into form, passing them out and putting
them on little heads.

As he bent to put one on a little girl studying her notebook, she stopped him.

"I'll do my own," 10-year-old Tatiana Crump told him.

"Oh, OK," Muse said as he backed off.

The kids watched another video that instructs what to do if they are
approached by the police.

"The Law and You" showed kids if they use respect, they will probably get
respect.

The kids learned they should greet a police officer and that their own
first reaction to an officer tells whether it will be a conversation or a
confrontation.

They learned to stay and talk instead of running or making quick movements
that would lead police to believe they have a weapon.

"Make sure your attitude is right," White said. "If you give them attitude,
what are they gonna do? They're gonna snap it right back to you."

At the last presentation, shouts of "Let me see! Let me see!" filled the
room as Muse continued to talk over the kids.

He pointed to a bottle of GHB, the date rape drug. He explained how it is
used and the dangers of club drugs like XTC.

"That's another popular drug in Hammond that college kids are using," he said.

He showed them Vicks inhalers and glow sticks used to intensify the drug's
effects.

The kids were confused by the homemade pipes, pot scrubbers and cans of
shaving cream, though.

Muse showed them an empty can of baby food and explained it was really a
crack pipe.

Pot scrubbers are used as a filter so they don't suck the whole rock down
their throat, he said.

The cans of shaving cream had false bottoms and served as hiding places for
drugs.

Muse looked down at the table and at the kids.

"Birds of a feather flock together. Pick the people you hang around with if
you want to be good. You might not be doing what they're doing now, but,
eventually, curiosity will get you," he said.

"Curiosity killed the cat," shouted out 12-year-old Jameion Franklin.

"That's it," Muse said. "You're on your own."