DRUG PROGRAM TURNS 10

Benefit Auction, Luncheon Slated For Oct. 30

She's bubbly, spirited and she provides a mix of Scripture, song,
soothing words and firm hugs. She birthed two children but is mother
to hundreds more that she's met over the past decade. Higginbotham is
founder/president of Knoxville's nonprofit Think Drug Free America
Inc., which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. The program
she founded - which discourages drug use - came after spending 12
years as an addict herself. She credits becoming a Christian with
altering her life's direction.

The lion's share of funding for the program comes from a benefit
auction and luncheon, which will be held Tuesday, Oct. 30, at First
Baptist Church, 510 W. Main St. Doors open at 11 a.m.; the program
begins at noon. In 2000, the auction netted over $15,000.

Cuts in funding and donations have prevented the production of the
evocative play, "High Impact: The Hype and Truth about Today's Most
Prevalent Drugs." The play had been pivotal mainstay in the effort to
inform students about drugs.

The cast consisted of about 18 students who audition for roles, then
begin an eight-week period of performances in the summer. The students
appear at parks and recreation facilities, housing developments, youth
camps and churches. They also tour businesses and perform community
service.

"It kept the young people occupied and helped them befriend one
another, kids from other parts of the city," Higginbotham said. "This
was particularly helpful when there was a rise in gang rivalries, and
the kids knew one another and found friends with each other even
though they may have lived across town from each other."

Higginbotham says she has only to look at the children she and her
husband, Donnie, have, Moriah, 8, and Joshua, 7, to know that there
will always be a need for drug education. "I am very excited about the
hundreds of lives we could touch," she said. " ... I am disappointed
because we haven't shown the 'High Impact' play in three years."

The guest speaker for the fundraising auction is Tennessee ThunderCats
President George Lemon. Mary Lou Horner, a Knox County commissioner,
is the honorary chairwoman, and Knox County Tourist Commission
Chairman Mike Ragsdale is ticket chairman.

Auction items available are restaurant dinners, vacation packages, and
packages of fun for children and adults. Tickets are $3, and corporate
tables are available. To buy tickets, call 255-003.Student-turned-board
member of Think Drug Free America, 21-year-old Candice Patterson,
remembers how Higginbotham and the program created a no-tolerance
mindset toward drug use.

Patterson grew up in the program, graduated and came back to serve.
She has been a cast member in the play, which teaches the dangers of
marijuana, cocaine, LSD, alcohol and tobacco. Through the characters
in the play, students see where each drug comes from, how it will make
them feel if they use it and what the drug does to their bodies.

Patterson said she looked at the drug characters as an effective way
to reach young people who may tune out guest speakers in their classrooms.

"You can ask questions, and there was not a time kids didn't ask
questions during our performances," Patterson said.

The biggest effect on Patterson was the education.

"I know just about anything there is to know about drugs; I could tell
you what it's going to do and how it's going to affect you. I didn't
try any of the hardcore drugs because I knew better. ... I was offered
and never tried, and I liked how I could inform others."