THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, May 26, 1995 TAG: 9505240181
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: W12C EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
Chesapeake high schools and Families United Against Drugs periodically recognize a student who is dedicated to a drug-free lifestyle.
Jenifer Craft, 17, a senior at Indian River High School, is active in Pals for Peers, the Chesapeake Teen Council and the Indian River band.
Q. Part of the criteria for being highlighted in this program is that you must be drug-free for at least two years. Have you always been drug free?
A. Yes, I have always led a drug-free life.
Q. Many, many teens dabble in drugs and alcohol. If you could design a program to encourage them to get off drugs or never to try them in the first place, what would you do?
A. I believe that high morals and parents are the keys to curbing teenage drug abuse. Parents are fading out of children's lives. Parents need to be involved. My parents taught me the evils of drugs. They raised me with high standards. I never wanted to go below those standards.
Q. Some politicians have suggested legalizing drugs as a way to curb abuses. Do you think legalization would increase or decrease drug use among teens? Why?
A. I strongly believe that drugs should remain illegal. Legalization of drugs would only give someone an excuse to try them.
Q. Do you face a lot of negative peer pressure because of your outspoken stand against drugs and alcohol? If so, how do you handle it without looking like a goody-goody?
A. No. The peer group I associate myself with are proud of my stand against drugs. I only feel positive pressure.
Q. What, if anything, do you say to friends or classmates who do use drugs?
A. I have not only been drug-free my entire life, but I encourage others to be the same.
Q. Who do you look up to as a model for a drug-free lifestyle?
A. The counselors who look out for people are my role models for a drug-free lifestyle.
Q. How serious do you think the drug problem is in this area?
A. Kids these days often get mixed up in drugs. It is not uncommon for even the smallest or most ``protected'' high school to have at least one or two teens that have decided to experiment or abuse drugs.
Q. What are your plans for the future?
A. My goal is to go to a good college and major in computer science. Now and in the future, I would like to use my knowledge to help others stay drug-free. MEMO: Jenifer was interviewed by Kimberly Hammerman, 16, a fellow senior at
Indian River High School. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Jenifer Craft
by CNB