(EDITOR’S NOTE: The following
story has not been written to imply
there is a drug or alcohel problem
at either Dallas or Lake Lehman
high school, but to ask the students
for their response to drug use warn-
ings and programs that have been
°
Staff Writer
The echoing message that is car-
rying across the country to combat
drug abuse is clear and simple
enough for anyone to understand,
‘Say no to drugs.’
Billions of dollars have been spent
to spread the word and personalities
ranging from the President of the
United States to sports heroes have
offered their time to advocate it.
But how much of an impact is the
slogan really having on our youth?
Last week, students at Dallas and
Lake Lehman High Schools were
asked that question and others, and
although most agree there is an
abuse problem in the country, they
feel the message is only moderately
effective.
“I think it works as far as people
want it to help,” said one student
from Dallas. “It’s up to the individ-
ual. If kids want to do drugs they
are going to do them no matter
what anyone says. They may listen
to some things, but when they are
already into, they won’t listen
because they don’t think it applies
to them.”
But to what extent does the prob-
lem exist involving high school stu-
dents?
Ironically, while legislators and
the media have bombarded the
public with drug-related stories, all
of the students interviewed say that
real problem facing high schoolers.
“There are kids in school who do
drugs,” said a Lehman senior, ‘but
I wouldn’t say its a problem. People
use drugs in all schools and occupa-
tions. I think there is even less of a
problem here at Lehman that at
most schools, but a lot of kids do
use alcohol.”
At Dallas, students also say that
alcohol is the No. 1 problem at their
school, too, and in fact, have noticed
a decrease in drug use over the past
three years.
Said one Dallas senior, ‘“The foot-
ball players have been getting on
those people who are into drugs and
are trying to push it on the younger
kids. They have broken up a few
parties already. If the person doing
the drugs doesn’t like it, well, then,
they have to deal with them (the
players.)
Said a jnior from Dallas, “You
could see the difference between
this year and last year alone. Last
(See DRUGS, page 3)
IA
Vol. 97, No. 38
Accepting or rejecting drugs and
alcohol is not as simple as a ‘yes’
or “no” answer. It’s a complicated
decision that takes in a number of
factors that can put a heavy strain
on the mind of a teenager.
To help ease that strain, a pro-
gram entitled ‘Here’s Looking At
You Two,’ is being taught in both
the Dallas and Lake-Lehman School
Districts and is geared toward
making students aware of the conse-
quences of their choices.
“Everything we teach in the pro-
gram is aimed toward the total
wellness of the individual,”
explained Dallas health educational
instructor Larry Schuler. “Educat-
ing students about the dangers of
drugs and alcohol ‘is only a part of
the program. We get into the drugs
and smoking phase in the seventh
them along.
“They are taught to develop atti-
tudes and self-esteem, how to deal
with peer pressure and how to mold
their coping skills, so that by the
time they are in junior high they
are already involved in decision-
making and are aware of the conse-
quences of their decisions.”
At Lehman, the program is basi-
cally the same, but also includes a
‘Think Drink Game’
“It’s a game we use in the junior
high school,” said Wilma Schierer,
health instructor. ‘It’s a game with
cards and a wheel that shows the
blood alcohol content, and it is
Furry friend
in grades K-10 at Dallas and K-8 at
Lehman, although a high school
follow-up class is currently being
studied. One method both schools
use on the high school level to
reinforce earlier instructions is spot
programming films.
“We had one just before the prom
last year,”’ explained Schuler.
‘Then we wanted to make an
announcement following the film
but the microphone went dead. We
didn’t even need it. You could hear
a pin drop, that’s how much of an
impact it (the film) had.”
Even though instructors at both
schools feel their respective pro-
grams could improve on all levels,
there is one problem they say will
never be eliminated — alcohol
abuse.
“You. won't ever be able to
change that,”” said Schierer. ‘So
you: have to -do-the next best thing:
You have to teach them when to say
“no.” It’s a social thing and it is
always going to be around.”
Schuler agrees. ‘“You have to
teach kids how to drink,” he said.
“That might sound like an off the
wall statement, but it’s true. Just
because somebody turns 21 doesn’t
mean they automatically know how
to drink, First, they have to be
taught how to use it.”
Added Sally Kennard, another
health education teacher at Dallas,
“What we are doing is providing
them with a knowledgeable opinion
and a knowledgeable option. We are
asking them to make adult decisions
with adolescent minds. I’m not
saying that they aren’t mature, but
we are still dealing with young
people. We just hope they make the
choice that will be the least harmful
to them.”
— JOHN HOINSKI
Dallas Post/Charlot M. Denmon
25 Cents
Showpiece
Grotto for lunch.
By CHARLOT M. DENMON
Staff Correspondent
Hundreds of men, women and children visited
the Third Annual Teddy Bear Contest sponsored
by the. Overbrook Marketplace, Overbrook
Avenue, Dallas on Sunday.
The contest, started three years ago by the
management of the Bay Window and The
Porches, drew residents from the Back Moun-
tain, Wyoming Valley, Pittston, and visitors in
the area from as far away as Florida, New
Jersey and California.
Handcrafts, and other items were exhibited
and there were food and beverage stands open
during the entire day. A Bear House, Halloween
Bear Parade and face painting proved to be
popular with the children.
A large Puppet Teddy Bear, donated by The
Bay Window and The Porches, was raffled and
the entire proceeds of more than $50 was turned
over to the Nay Aug Park Zoo.
The Teddy Bear Contest was divided into five
categories — Largest, Best Holiday Dressed,
Smallest ‘Jointed Bear, Best Dressed Female
Bear and the Best Dressed Male Bear.
Judging began at 2 p.m. with the first cate-
gory, the Largest Bear. Winner of this category
was declared a draw since there were two
identical huge, white bears entered. Winners
were Michael Lee Roth and Clarice Coyne.
Gizmo Express
organizations.
In the Best Dressed Holiday Bear category,
there were only three entries, Michael Lee Roth,
Halloween Bear; Jennifer Kovacs, Christmas
Bear; and Sharon Ormando, Christmas Bear.
Jennifer Kovacs was winner of this category.
Michael Lee Roth’s entry was winner of the
Smallest Jointed Bear. The Best Dressed
Female Bear was the bear entered by Michelle
Kline of Nanticoke and the Best Dressed Male
Bear category was won by Alexis Shipula of
Hanover Township.
Dozens of bears of all sizes and colors, dressed
in various costumes were entered in the contest.
Free lollipops were presented to each contes-
tant.
Story completed
In an article entitled ‘Police try to"
halt speeding’ in the September 24
issue of The Dallas Post, the last
sentence of the story was inadvert-
ently deleted. The full paragraph
should have read as follows:
In other business, the board: Met
with officials from the Dallas Acme
concerning the traffic problem with
motorists pulling out of the lot onto
Church and Foster Streets which
abut it, causing traffic congestion.
Borough Solicitor Jack Fine will
meet with Acme officials in the near
future to help clear up the problem.
Index
Calendar .......... 15,16
Classified ......... 13,14
Cookbook ............... 7
Marriage licenses .. 8
Obituaries ............. 2
People .......iicceivnii 8
School .................. 12
Sports ............ 9,10,11