Those who have passed the crashed car on East Rockaway High School grounds have seen just a glimpse of the district's efforts to educate students about illicit drugs, which culminated with Substance Abuse Awareness Week earlier this month.
A dozen programs were held among all three of the district's schools, designed to spur student awareness of the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. School officials hope the comprehensive schedule of programs will lead to positive anti-drug decisions.
Rhame and Centre Avenue Elementary students attended an assembly hosted by ventriloquist Jonathan Geffner, whose puppets have appeared in several anti-drug television announcements. Geffner's program, We're No Dummies, We Don't Do Drugs, was humorous but frank about the dangers of substance abuse. He explained to children about good drugs, such as medicine, versus bad drugs, and how not to be tricked into taking drugs.
We've had outstanding audience participation from grades kindergarten through six, said Timothy Silk, Center Avenue Principal. We've also had a number of speakers visit our health education classes, to help empower our students to make good decisions.
Staff Sergeant Trinette Zizzo from the National Guard's Counterdrug program also visited Centre School, where she used a health and science approach to explain the negative effects of drug use on the body and brain. Four sessions were held for fourth graders, a key age for drug education.
Children as young as 11 have been known to take drugs, and the average age for drug experimentation is 15 1/2 years, said Joanne Morgan, Director of Pupil Personnel Services.
Both Morgan and Abramson are members of the district's Drug and Alcohol Committee, which helped plan the weeklong series of school presentations. Parents were notified of the district's anti-drug series in a letter dated Jan. 23.
Students at Rhame also attended a demonstration by the U.S. Customs Service and its drug detector dogs, which have been used as a major tool against illegally smuggled narcotics since 1970. Officers Bobby Hahn and James Walsh explained how the dogs are trained to sniff out drugs.
The children love the dogs, and have responded very well, said teacher Mary McLeod.
The high school building was also visited by the canine customs team, a clairvoyant named Flaviati, and Perfection on Wheels, a team of bicyclists who performed bicycle stunts. All explained how substance abuse impairs physical, mental and athletic performance. Other high school presenters included Drug Enforcement Agency personnel, State Parkway Troopers and Nassau County Police. Troop L Officer Thomas Collins, a 28-year parkway veteran, explained to gym students how they can better protect themselves against drunk drivers.
About 1,500 auto deaths occur each year in New York -- all too many, said Collins. One-third of these fatalities involve vehicle rollovers, he said, explaining that seat belts can increase a passenger's chance of survival by 90 percent.
After his presentation, students walked outside, where Trooper Jim Fagan simulated a vehicle rollover. A portion of a toy pickup truck was spun on a rotisserie, and mannequins inside were tested with and without seat belts.
High school students Sara Burggraf, 12, and Kristen Gensheimer, 13, found most of the programs effective, but admitted that some students are not taking anti-substance messages seriously.
Some students will listen, some won't, they said.
A good ten percent are already drinking, estimated seventh grader Samantha Toohey.
Peers play a critical role in a teen's life, which is why high school students also met with those enrolled in drug treatment programs. A counselor and three teen girls from Friends of Bridge and members of Daytop, two day treatment programs, spoke to students about their personal experiences. A man from Aurora Concepts, a residential program, recounted his life as a heroin addict. Others had been arrested, one of whom a former New York City police officer and armed forces member who lost everything while on drugs.
In addition to its classroom presentations, Daytop's parents met with parents and PTA members. Discussed was how to establish better lines of communication, and tips to bolster students' self-esteem to develop refusal skills.
Two affected parents and two drug-involved teens offered pointers, said Morgan. A question-and-answer session was held afterward, and Daytop parents lingered for one-to-one talks.
The programs were partially funded by $1,000 recently received by the district from local V.F.W. members Joe McCarthy and Bob Jacoby. The remainder of the proceeds will be used for tobacco education next month.
Jane Powel from Cold Spring Harbor Academics will visit our seventh graders, said Marian Abramson, secondary school social worker. She will explain the effects of tar and nicotine on DNA, the lungs and other body tissues.
