RALLY FOCUSES ON DRUG AWARENESS, SUPPORT

SOUTHINGTON - When Stacy Potter, Miss Southington, thought about what she
would say to those attending the 11th annual anti-drug rally, she knew she
wasn't going to say that drugs are bad. To her, that went without saying.

"Even the people using drugs know they are bad," Potter said. "In one hour
you won't remember what I said and in a week you won't remember my name."

Instead Potter described the life of someone whose life was destroyed by
drug and alcohol abuse, hoping that the students attending the rally on the
Town Green Tuesday night would remember the image of that person's life.

The man, now in his mid-20s, suffered paralysis and kidney failure after
taking a dangerous combination of drugs and alcohol. The man spent 11 weeks
in the hospital and now has trouble walking on his own. After a year of
physical therapy, he may partially recover, Potter said. But emotionally he
will never fully recover.

Like many people, she said, he thought nothing bad would ever happen to him.

Unity was the prevailing theme at the rally, with both student and adult
speakers talking about supporting one another to make positive choices and
serving as role models.

"We stand with you," said Town Councilor Victoria Triano, who emceed the
event, as she has every year. "You're not going to do it alone."

Alfred Bidorini, from the state Department of Mental Health, talked to the
crowd about the dangers of the drug Ecstasy, the use of which has become
more prevalent in recent years. Many parents don't know about the drug, and
many of those who do know have never talked to their children about its
dangers.

Parents need to talk to their children about the dangers of drugs, and must
set clear rules for their children. They must ask their children questions
about their activities, Bidorini said.

"It's a strong way of delivering prevention," he said.

The annual rally ties into Red Ribbon Week, in which people wear red
ribbons to show they are against drug use. Brendan Carey, president of
DePaolo Middle School's Peer Advocates, told the crowd of more than 100
people the history of the campaign.

People began wearing red ribbons after the death of Enrique Camarena, a
drug enforcement officer who was killed in Mexico while investigating a
drug cartel. He was tortured to death and his body was found in a shallow
grave. At the funeral, family and friends wore red satin ribbons to
remember him.

While last year's rally featured the middle school students, this year saw
an increase in high school participation which pleased rally co-chairwoman
Patricia Kenefick. She organized the event with Harold Kane and the
Southington Drug Task Force.

"I'm thrilled," Kenefick, a DePaolo teacher, said. "There should be a total
commitment from K through 12."

Members of the high school Peer Advocates, Students Against Destructive
Decisions, cheerleading squad and football team took part in the rally.
Members of the DePaolo Patriot Power Team sang, danced and performed a skit
about making positive choices.

"I don't want to become a number in a book," said Katie Spinelli, a junior
and treasurer of the high school's Peer Advocates. While she said she
couldn't make decisions for people, she encouraged them to make smart
decisions and to get involved with clubs and sports.

Southington High School Football Coach Jude Kelly also encouraged the
students to make positive decisions and to find people in the community to
look up to, be it parents, teachers or clergy.

"Take care of things that are valuable," Kelly said. "You are valuable."