Families party on to fight drug use

Food, drugs and rock 'n' roll brought dozens of parents and pupils to Evans Middle School on Friday.

The school played host toa Family Night in which families dined on food donated by Upper Crust, Olive Garden and Smoak's Bakery; listened to the musical stylings of Surrey Tavern house-band Playback; and heard a lecture on alcohol and drug awareness.

"We thought that offering a nice dinner and having a little concert would be a great way of enticing parents to come hear this important lesson on drug and alcohol awareness," said Evans Middle School Principal Myrel Seigler. "This is an age when kids are really going to start experiencing peer pressure. Soon, many of these children will be offered their first drink and drug.

"It's important that parents start learning now what the warning signs are that their children may be abusing drugs. Hopefully, this can be about prevention. We held this in January to send out a message of beginning the new year drug free."

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After the dinner and concert, the children saw a demonstration by the Columbia County Sheriff's Office canine unit while the parents adjourned to the lunchroom to hear a presentation by the Gang Resistance Education and Training officer Kara McGahee.

With visual aids, a video, and a table loaded with confiscated crack pipes and bongs, McGahee lectured parents on the different types of drugs popular among teens, the warning signs that a teen may be abusing drugs, methods of prevention and more.

"This is a crucial time in these kids lives when they will be allowed a lot more freedom than they have ever had," said McGahee, a deputy with the Columbia County Sheriff's Office. "They'll be going to their first party and driving soon.

"This is a chance for parents to learn about what's out there and how to communicate with their kids. Parents have to learn to get in their kids' business. Even if they don't want you to, do it anyway."