THIRD GRADE ISN'T TOO EARLY FOR OFFICER'S ANTI-DRUG TALKS

As an officer in the juvenile division of the Olive Branch Police
Department, Mark Kimbell deals with juveniles who've dabbled in various
crimes, including drug use. "I don't see these kids as bad people," the
29-year-old officer said. "I just see them as youths who have made a bad
decision. And it's my goal to help them make better decisions."

It's that goal that brings Kimbell into third-grade classrooms every fall.

He wants to nip the tendency to make wrong decisions - at least, when it
comes to using drugs - in the bud.

Kimbell has been in Chickasaw Elementary all month, speaking to pupils
about "keeping it REAL," a lesson tailored to teach third-graders to say no
to drugs. The 9- and 10-year-old age group is critical to reach, Kimbell
said, adding most drug use begins in the early teenage years.

REAL is an acronym for refuse, explain, avoid and leave.

"Those are the things you do to keep yourselves out of a bad situation,"
said Kimbell, squeezing through narrow aisles of children whose desks came
up to his knees. "Remember that it's not always going to be strangers who
ask you to do things that aren't good for you. Sometimes, it's your friend,
someone you like and trust, but you have to be strong and remember these
words."

As part of his lesson, Kimbell asked the children to brainstorm what they
like to do to have fun.

"Eat," a squeaky voice blurted out.

"Play basketball," another said.

"Play with my dogs."

Kimbell applauded the students' responses, and asked, "Now, why, with all
these things to do, would people waste time trying drugs?"

From the right corner of a classroom, Courtney Ruark, 9, meekly raised her
hand and answered: "Um, because sometimes, you might think you would look
cool if you tried drugs."

Later, Kimbell said Courtney had hit the heart of the reason that pushes so
many youths into experimenting with drugs. He said it was important that
children learn about issues like peer pressure so they learn not to succumb
to it later.

"I figure, you plant a seed now, it's something that will stick with them,
something that will make them stronger individuals," Kimbell said.
Kimbell's lessons are part of a series sponsored through Partnership for a
Healthy Mississippi, a nonprofit program that provides anti-drug use
material to schoolchildren.