Soldier urges students to avoid drugs, alcohol

By LISA CHAPMAN / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

David Goode learns how to stay drug free from Sgt. 1st Class Danny Kelley. Goode is a fifth-grade student at West Elementary. (Lisa Chapman photo)

Students at the high school, middle school and West Elementary learned a valuable lesson last week — how and why to stay off drugs.

Red Ribbon Week originated after the death of Enrique Camarena, a U.S. Drug Enforcement officer, who devoted his life to stopping drug-related activities.

In honor of Red Ribbon Week, the National Guard tours the school systems teaching children the dangers of drugs and how to stay off them.

“We go to every school we’re invited to,” said Sgt. 1st Class Danny Kelley. “All you have to do is call.”

During the presentation for grades 4-12, children are taught the dangers of alcohol, marijuana and smoking. Also included is what people will say to get you to try these drugs, what it does to your body and the legal consequences. For grades K-3, a different technique is used. Puppets entertain the children while they are learning about drug prevention.

“All you can do is try to keep these kids off drugs,” said West Elementary guidance counselor Judy Anderson. “We can only hope it works.”

The National Guard Counter Drug Division is located out of Chattanooga, Tenn., and can be reached at (423) 634-4095 or by e-mail at [email protected].