Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, November 9, 1995 TAG: 9511100039
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: N-10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LISA P. SMITH STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
I want to be healthy and happy;
I will say no to alcohol;
I will say no to tobacco;
I will say no to illegal drugs;
I will help my friends say no;
I pledge to stand up for what I know is right."
This pledge has been repeated by about 60 youngsters in the Just Say No Club at Lincoln Terrace Community Action Center during the last four years.
Katie Zawacki, a substance abuse prevention specialist at Blue Ridge Community Services' Prevention Plus Program volunteered to start this drug-free club after the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority received several grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to combat drug use.
"There was a drug problem among the adults, and the main concern was the children and giving them some alternatives before they got into that lifestyle," said Anita Lee, resident development director, at the housing authority.
During the four-year period, the 60-plus children have learned to say no to drugs with the help of videos, role playing and performing in plays. They also have created dances and rap songs with the drug-free message.
"The bright green shirts they wear and the pledge which they say at each meeting also reinforce the message of the drug-free lifestyle," Zawacki said.
Lee said she has noticed "some dramatic changes" since the program was started at Lincoln Terrace. The number of children staying in school and the number of children participating in the Just Say No activities have increased dramatically, she said.
Three of the original youngsters are now members of a new group for older students. Only five have dropped out or were expelled from the club.
Because of the interest and the fifth-grade age limit for the club, Zawacki formed the new group, the Youth Leadership Program, for Just Say No graduates and students in the sixth and seventh grades.
There is no program for older children, however. "If there were more resources, maybe there could be more programs," Zawacki said.
If there were more resources, Zawacki would like to see a business mentorship for older children and job training programs.
Lee also voices concerns about funding.
"The prevention money has been slashed from HUD, and I don't know where the money is going to come from. We are seriously in danger of losing the prevention programs," she said.
Zawacki said the clubs offer something else to the children: "When kids get involved in gangs, they want to belong to something. This allows the kids to belong to something."
Zawacki got the word out that she was forming the club mainly by posting fliers and letting Lincoln Terrace resident counselors know she was coming.
Just Say No has a membership of 17, with more on a waiting list. The Leadership Program, which also trains older kids to be Just Say No team leaders, has 10 members.
The club, said 9-year-old Deneshia Pugh, " teaches kids not to do drugs and to respect other people."
Sheinna Myers, 10, echoed, saying she has learned "a lot of stuff," especially "how to say no to drugs."
Monica DeHaven, now in the club for older youngsters, is continuing the Just Say No Club message in a pamphlet that she made.
In the pamphlet, she advises others to stop and think of responses to use before accepting crack. She says that she would say: "No thanks, I'm drug-free," or "I don't want to disobey the law," or "No way, I am a member of the Just Say NO Club."
The students, during the four years, have been involved with the Festival in the Park's Children's Parade; cleaning up the playground and basketball court at Lincoln Terrace and dedicating the basketball court as a drug-free zone.
In late October, during Red-Ribbon Week, a substance abuse prevention program celebration, club members went door to door in their neighborhood, distributing red ribbons and asking the residents to help promote Lincoln Terrace as a drug-free community.
After four years of being involved in the club, Zawacki said, she has formed some real attachments to the children.
The children have also formed attachments to her. DeHaven recently sent Zawacki a poem:
``Thank you 4 all U do 4 Us.
Drugs are bad you've taught us that.
Now we know that drugs are whack.
Now it's time to pass that fact."
Memo: NOTE: Also ran in November 16, 1995 Neighbors South.