Click here to subscribe today or Login.
By CHRISTINE LIBERASKI; Times Leader Staff Writer
Monday, February 01, 1993 Page: 3A QUICK WORDS: LITTLE PEOPLE – BIG
LESSONS / DRUGS AND ALCOHOL
Students from two local elementary schools got lessons in life Friday, as
they participated in programs designed to heighten their awareness on drug and
alcohol prevention and highway safety.
Students at the State Street Elementary School, Larksville, were treated to
fun activities, performing magicians and singers to help teach them about the
dangers of drugs and alcohol.
Booths were set up in the school’s gymnasium by numerous organizations,
including the Kingston Police Department. Several student activity clubs from
Wyoming Valley West High School sent representatives to speak with the
children.
The day-long program was funded through the “Drug Free Schools and
Community Act,” which gives federal money to school districts for drug and
alcohol prevention education, said Ann Marie DeVizia, coordinator of the
student assistance program in the Wyoming Valley West School District.
“We believe that anymore it is important to start as early as you can,”
said DeVizia. “The key to prevention is in the elementary schools.”
At Kistler Elementary in Wilkes-Barre, students learned highway safety tips
from the Northeast Regional Highway Safety Program.
Kistler students, who are celebrating “National School Health Week,”
watched films and held group discussions on subjects such as the proper use of
seat belts, pedestrian safety and the importance of bicycle helmets. They also
got to meet Vince and Larry, the human crash dummies.
Cathy Sabulski, a representative from the Northeast Regional Highway Safety
Program, said the program tried to dispel common myths about seat belts.
“Your chances are so much higher of getting injured when you’re not wearing
your seat belt, than being injured by the seat belt,” Sabulski said.