PROJECT YES GIVES YOUTH AN ALTERNATIVE TO DRUGS, ALCOHOL

BLUEFIELD - Recognizing the growing forms of peer pressure teenagers
face in today's world, a group of Mercer County students and parents
have come together during the past few months to form an organization
designed to inform area teens about the dangers of drugs, alcohol and
early sexual involvement. Project Y.E.S. (Youth Enriching Services)
was started in Mercer County in October and currently is offering
students from Montcalm to Princeton a chance to participate in
activities that are drug and alcohol free. The latest venture occurred
on Friday when Project Y.E.S. hosted a bowling party at Mountaineer
Lanes in Bluefield.

"We have gotten a really good response so far," said Carly Kestner,
activities coordinator for Project Y.E.S. "We work through C.A.S.E. of
West Virginia and we do this for middle school and high school kids
because we don't want them to be involved in risky activities. We give
them an alternative."

Whenever Project Y.E.S. holds an event such as Friday's Bowling Party,
the organization also has brochures available on site on how to stay
away from risky substances such as drugs, tobacco and alcohol. Some
information also deals with facts about early sexual engagement and
sexually transmitted diseases.

"If they get in a situation we want to show them how to get out of
it," Kestner said.

Students not only take part in Project Y.E.S. events, but they play a
hand in the process of putting them together. Currently a Youth
Activities Committee made up of students in Montcalm, Bluefield, and
Princeton get together with Kestner about once a week to plan
activities for their fellow students.

"We discuss activities we can do," Kestner said. "They help me with
ideas and they try to publicize these events in their schools."

Publicizing these activities and getting the word out about the
Project Y.E.S. Program is one of Kestner's goals for 2002. Already she
is looking at possibly expanding the program into the Spanishburg and
Lashmeet areas of the county. However, she's already got the support
of the students presently involved in the program.

"We're trying to get more students involved," said Stephanie Duncan, a
junior at Montcalm High School.

Duncan added that the program is easy to sale to students and
parents.

"I like coming to the events and my mom likes it because she doesn't
have to worry about me," Duncan said.

One other aspect of the program is that it does not just involve the
students. Parents are encouraged to take part in activities as well so
they'll have more interaction with their children as they enter or are
in their teenage years.

"I love it because I'm a parent and my kid is almost a teenager. It
gives me an opportunity to be more involved in his life," said Ronald
Dodson of Princeton. "I want the Project Y.E.S. to grow because it's
well worth it. I recommend it highly."

For more information on the program or for details on future events,
contact Project Y.E.S. at (304) 324-7420.