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How to just say 'NO'
KDMC introduces new alcohol, drug education program
Published Saturday, November 21, 2009
IRONTON — Twenty-five years ago, then First Lady Nancy Reagan championed a popular slogan that resonates as much today as it did in 1984.
“Just say no!”
Even today, both children and adults know what those three words mean. But lost through the years is the premise as to why students should “say no.”
Friday morning, Ironton Middle School sixth graders got to see up close what alcohol, cocaine, steroids, crack, marijuana and addictive prescription drugs can literally do to their bodies, their families and their future as part of a new drug education program sponsored by Kings Daughters Medical Center.
It was a powerful hour where students not only were informed why they should “say no,” but how to “say no.”
Moderated by Rachel Cooper, a nurse and community health specialist with the KDMC Health Connections Department, the program is titled “The Truth About Drugs: Get the Real Facts.” Friday’s program was the first time it was presented in the Tri-State area.
“For more than 10 years we have presented a tobacco education program in the schools that has been very well received,” Cooper said. “We recognize there also is a great need to educate young people on the real facts about alcohol, prescription medications, street drugs and inhalants, so we developed this new program.”
The interactive seminar allowed questions by students to be woven around video testimonials of former addicts and the destruction it did to their lives.
A main theme of Cooper’s presentation was reminding each student that they are in control of their own lives and that they have the courage it takes to stand up under mountains of peer pressure to say no to drugs.
“Drugs are not the solution you are looking for when you have a problem,” Cooper said. “If you think drugs are a solution to your problems, they are not.”
In localizing her presentation, Cooper showed student a photomontage of different newspaper articles she had collected during the past two weeks detailing drug crimes and convictions within the Tri-State area.
“Drugs are the number one cause of crime in Lawrence County,” Cooper said.
“Drugs are essentially poisons. And although nearly half of teens believe taking prescription drugs is safer than street drugs, the fact is prescriptions drugs are just as dangerous and addictive as illegal drugs,” Cooper said in explaining that more people are addicted to prescription drugs than ever before.
The program was developed using materials from a Drug-Free Foundation and the Partnership for a Drug-Free America. Schools interested in scheduling the program can call KDMC at (606) 408-4151.
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Comments
Posted by john_mushenhouse (anonymous) on November 22, 2009 at 8:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Perhaps if the dope fiends and drunkards got more than a slap on the hands or cry about rehab (for the utmost time), then the kids would see another good reason to say NO.
If the courts take a harder line on these degenerate users then the COURTS will be the ones to just say NO.
The people are saying NO as in NO MORE of this. This county is basically unfit to live in. People are tired of hearing the city/county's excuses. People are fearful to leave their cars unattended at night when shopping. People are sick of the no money excuses for extra police when the officials have their kin and cronies on every board and political office.
Maybe if the police and court system make some really strong statements then the town/county will be safe for law abiding people to walk in. Giving these dope fiends and drunkards multiple rehab trips might make money for the politicians getting the state and fed aid for these programs, but they are not stopping the major increases in these crimes agaisnt the people.
I am tired of reading about some law breaker crying to the judge how sorry they are and how they need rehab for the 3rd, 4th, 5th or more time. Use the money to build work farms. That will be the physical training they need to recover from their years of abuse. Make sure the guards don't bring more dope/alcohol in for money too.
That will say NO to these weak willed, live only for themselves, the heck with other people degengerated cry babies.
Then say NO to these city/county leaders who whine and cry yet fill up the county jobs and offices with their crowd. The other answer they seem to have is paychecks for their kin/cronies. We need to say NO MORE to them.
And GOODBYE.
Posted by michaelOH (anonymous) on November 22, 2009 at 11:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
@ least the anti-smoking programs seem to be working.
I very seldom see teenagers puffing away on a cigarette now. That's a major step from my high school days when
we would stand in a circle at lunchtime and pass one around.
Posted by Philo_Publius (anonymous) on November 22, 2009 at 2:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Concentration needs to be on cigs and alcohol..........These will kill more children than any other drug............say no to cigs and alcohol....................philo publius
Posted by daddychris (anonymous) on November 23, 2009 at 9:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Im sorry but i think everybody needs to sit down and think about what is killing people and leave the marijuana out. I think you need to make alcohol illegal and the reason i say this is that how people have died from smoking herb? how many kids are born each year with a birthdefect because the mother decided to smoke marijuana?I know whats killing our kids and the good people of this town,its the doctors and the alcohol not marijuana.... always remember god created all the trees and plants so why would he create something thats going to kill you?? Everything that is going to kill people is created in a lab or factory not growing from the EARTH!!!!!!!!!!!! JUST THINK ABOUT IT
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