CAMPAIGN TO COMBAT DRUG ABUSE BEGINS

A large cross-section of the community came together for a kickoff
breakfast for a problem that will take an entire community effort to combat.

The Watauga Alcohol and Drug Council kicked off its annual Red Ribbon
campaign on Tuesday in preparation for Red Ribbon Week coming up Oct. 20th
through Oct. 27.

Bert Wood was the main speaker for the event. Wood has a long career in
prevention and treatment services and is knowledgeable about trends in drug
and alcohol use.

Wood said that, across the state, Watauga County and Boone were well known
for their leadership on drug and alcohol prevention, citing the late David
Edmisten, who previously spearheaded underage drinking awareness programs
locally.

Wood referred to the "it takes a village" concept, saying, "Clearly, this
will take the entire community to reduce the problems and prevent them from
developing."

He attributed several factors to the reason why alcohol and drug abuse were
often overlooked or tolerated in silence. He said that shame, guilt, denial
and anonymity limit discussion of problems and that a stigma clouded
prevention efforts.

Referring to alcohol use among teenagers, Wood said the good news was that
the rates of use and abuse had stayed the same, but the bad news was that
they were too high.

Fifty-two percent of the nation's high school seniors report having had at
least five drinks at one sitting. Wood said that early prevention is the
best way to stave off lifetime problems, and that efforts should try to
postpone the age at which teens try alcohol or drugs for the first time.

He said that 40 percent of those who tried alcohol for the first time while
under the age of 15 later developed a clinically diagnosed dependence on
alcohol.

"It's not a school problem," he said. "It's not a government problem, or a
government solution. This is a solution that will happen in our homes."

"I don't have any solutions for you," Wood said, though he offered several
ideas in an attempt to get the community talking about the problems.

He said that the community, pastors, educators, law enforcement, parents
and local leaders all had to look for ways to raise awareness of the problems.

He encouraged focus on the color red during the official awareness week,
saying it "forces the discussion." "Make it a rallying moment for all of us
to say 'Enough is enough,'" Wood said.

He also cited a Partnership for a Drug-Free America study that showed 74
percent of teens wanted their parents to talk to them about drugs.

Wood has been the President and CEO of STEP ONE, Inc. since 1989. The
nonprofit agency has 95 staff members providing alcohol and other drug
prevention and treatment services in Northwest N.C. He currently is
Vice-Chair of the NC Governor's Commission on Substance Abuse Prevention
and Treatment and the Chair of the Substance Abuse Advisory Council of the
NC Department of Correction.

ASU Chancellor Frank Borkowski opened the event by saying he had no more
difficult task than calling parents to let them know their child had died
in an alcohol or drug related incident.

Borkowski said even with continuous awareness efforts, "Virtually every
year, we lose someone."

He said that it was important to be creative about raising awareness as
well as making it a year-round effort. Watauga County Commission Chair
Jimmy Hodges read a draft of a proclamation recognizing Red Ribbon
Awareness Week.

Kerri Kennedy accepted a plaque honoring her husband, the late Maj. Bob
Kennedy of the Boone Police Department, for his dedication to anti-drug
efforts.

Red Ribbon Celebration is a national alcohol, tobacco and other drug
awareness and prevention campaign designed to involve people in making
their communities safe, healthy and drug-free.

The original campaign started in the late 1980's as a way to honor a Drug
Enforcement Agent who was slain while conducting undercover work in South
America.

This year's theme is "United We Stand For A Drug-Free Land." Alcohol,
tobacco and other drugs cause more deaths, illness and disabilities than
any other preventable health condition.

All segments of society are disrupted by substance abuse and it affects
family life, workplace productivity, public safety and a host of other
social and economic problems.

A host of support services are available locally through the Alcohol/Drug
Council at 262-5051 and other area agencies.