THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 26, 1995 TAG: 9511230222
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 11 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
Chesapeake high schools and Families United Against Drugs periodically recognize a student who is dedicated to a drug-free lifestyle and is fulfilling his or her potential.
Starria Cuffee is a senior at Great Bridge High School, where she is active in peer mediation and forensics. She also is involved actively in her church.
Q. Part of the criteria for being highlighted by this program is that you must be drug-free for at least two years. Have you always been drug-free?
A. Yes.
Q. If you have never used drugs, what was it that convinced you to never use them?
A. I know people who use drugs, and their attitudes toward life are very careless. They don't seem to care about school, their family or their future. I don't ever want to be like that.
Q. Many, many teens dabble in drugs and alcohol. If you could design a program to encourage them to get off drugs or to never try them in the first place, what would you do?
A. I have found that many teens who try drugs are only depressed and need someone to talk to. I would try to establish a program where teens help teens. Teens who do use drugs or are former drug users, could help current abusers cope with their problems and spend time with them, providing a positive influence away from the drug world.
Q. Some politicians have suggested legalizing drugs as a way to curb abuse. Do you think legalization would increase or decrease drug use among teens? Why?
A. Yes, drug use would increase because drugs are addictive and teens would want more drugs. Making them legal would only make it easier to obtain the drugs, and they would be more accessible to kids.
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. I don't get a lot of negative pressure here, but I try to just show people that a life without drugs can be wonderful.
Q. What, if anything, do you say to friends or classmates who do use drugs?
A. I try to be a good friend and not bad-mouth their habit. If I just live my life without drugs, the more they are around me, the less they use drugs.
Q. Whom do you look up to as a model for a drug-free lifestyle?
A. I think that everyone living a drug-free lifestyle is a role model and should be commended.
Q. How seriously do you think the drug problem is in this area.
A. In this area, I think the problem is getting dangerous and should be stopped before it gets out of hand.
Q. What are your plans for the future?
A. I would like to attend Longwood College in Farmville and study to become a counselor or a psychologist. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Cuffee
by CNB