Our local news channel is in the middle of a month long war against drugs campaign. For the entire month of March, they have had news stories and personal looks into the war against drugs from those who are living it. The commericials have been peppered with reminders and with special programming through out the day and evening hours, you would be hard pressed not to have seen any part of it.
I watched this afternoon as the special speaker who has been brought in for a huge rally tomorrow night at the Idaho Center spoke to a group of kids. Milton Creagh has been here before. Many years ago in the same venue, with the same message. He brings with him a strong sense of what today's teens are all about and they identify with him. When he was here last time, he was walking the aisle and grabbed a couple of boys. One had long hair and the other was a boy that we knew who was the poster child of the perfect parent's dream. Milton had been talking about drug dealers and what they look like. Steve has always been a straight shooter and Mr Creagh's point was, that drug dealers don't look like the long haired kid - they look like Steve. Clean, cut and very presentable.I have never forgotten night, I learned alot.
Today's broadcast was from a local middle school - in a gym packed with kids. For over an hour, he told Story after Story about the effects of drugs including alcohol, smoking and the ever present meth. Middle school kids think they know it all. There is no time in your life when you think you are smarter or untouchable than middle school. He hammered away at them in their language, told Stories of kids and adults who lost their lives to drugs At regular intervals, he would ask them Do you know anyone who has - died, prison, divorce and a number of other things. Hands went up everytime he asked. Sometimes, many hands. I couldn't help but think about how much more these kids know than the kids I sat with in that auditorium, many years ago. How much more they know, have experienced and how much faster they have had to grow up. The world they know is hard and fast. Many of them are living lives we can't even imagine.
As he wrapped up his time, he asked more questions and had them stand up if there was Someone in their lives that it applied too. As he asked each question, he had them continue to stand. It was field of kids, all on their feet.
How many of you have parents in prison on drug related charges?
How many of you know someone who has been raped because of drug use?
How many of you have lost someone to a smoking related death?
Question after question, they continued to stand. When he was finished, the camera was looking over that sea of students - it was difficult to see anyone still sitting down. We are a walking culture of drugs. We all know Someone who is using. Whether a parent, a friend, a child or a stranger - this effects each of us.. After living a childhood with just the people Mr Creagh is talking about, I know what he is saying is true. I escaped from them as a kid because I didn't have enough money for drugs AND cupcakes. Food is legal drug of choice and just as deadly but that is a fight for another day.
Tomorrow night, I hope the Idaho center is packed with kids and their parents. They are going to march from the parking lot into the arena as a sign of solidarity. The cynical part of me questions, What is the point? Those who need it most won't be there. The God side of me says, if only one walks away with hope then it was worth it. Thanks KTVB for making the effort and thanks Milton for coming...
