ALDERMEN ASK FOR SPECIFICS BEFORE GIVING $4,000 GRANT TO DRUG-PREVENTION GROUP

Before granting Kernersville Cares for Kids $4,000 last week, the board of
aldermen questioned whether the money would truly go to Kernersville residents.

The group educates students at Kernersville-area schools on the dangers of
drugs. In a county-wide program, the organization offers a trophy to the
high school with the highest percentage of students pledging not to use
drugs. The organization offers incentive prizes to students who pledge to
remain drug free from Glenn and East Forsyth high schools.

Representatives had asked the aldermen for $10,000, saying they wanted to
expand the program to reach more middle-school students.

About 90 percent of the money is used within Kernersville, said Patty Jo
Sawvel, the group's executive director. But not all students at
Kernersville schools live within the town limits, several aldermen pointed out.

With that in mind, Alderman J. Irving Neal asked what percentage of the
organization's budget town taxpayers should be responsible for. The annual
budget of Kernersville Cares for Kids is $15,000, Sawvel said. But in-kind
donations such as advertising, prizes and free services bring the actual
budget up to about $32,000.

Alderman Curtis Swisher said he'd like the county commissioners to support
a portion of the organization. Upon his motion, the aldermen agreed to add
$2,000 to their contribution should the commissioners give the organization
$6,000.

Other aldermen asked about the effectiveness of the drug program.

Sawvel pointed out that 98 percent of Glenn High School students have
agreed to remain drug free and to submit to random drug testing, saying
that's the highest of any school in the nation.

The money for testing comes out of Sheriff Ron Barker's drug-turnover
money, Sawvel said. About 20 percent of students who sign contracts are
actually tested.

"I don't think it's reasonable to go into a school and make everybody
urinate into a cup and figure out whether drug use is down," Sawvel said.

John Owensby, the publisher of the Kernersville News, spoke to ask the
board to consider granting the money. He pointed out after the meeting that
some criticize drug testing, saying it's strong handed, but he sees the
program as positive behavior modification.

Sawvel said that the group has also worked to change students' perceptions
of drug use. She said that at one time, students thought that 90 percent of
their peers used drugs. The program educated them that only one-third of
students use drugs.

"Perception affects reality," she said.

Other community leaders were there to support the program, including Police
Chief Neal Stockton and Superintendent Don Martin.

"I think drug use and abuse is one of the most critical problems we face in
society today, especially for young people," Martin said.

In other business, the aldermen approved an ordinance they say will help
control door-to-door and street sales, as well as lead to accountability
for food vendors at town events.

Peddlers would be required to get a permit from the town before they could
sell an item on public streets, sidewalks and parking lots.

The ordinance also prohibits the street sale of food items except during
special events. Groups selling food could then be regulated by the
organization designated to handle the special event. For example, the
Chamber of Commerce would decide whether to allow a food vendor to sell at
Spring Folly.

"It probably won't keep someone from getting food poisoning, but it would
let you know the source if it happened," McCaslin said.

The board also:

?Passed a resolution allowing construction, finance or real-estate
companies to post signs during the construction of a new development.

?Transferred a half-acre pauper's plot to the Mt. Gur Cemetery Association.
The General Assembly passed legislation this year allowing the town to give
the land to the association.