http://www2.highlandstoday.com/content/2010/jan/27/270000/la-students-against-destructive-decisions-work-to-/news/

SEBRING - Some students are drawn to alcohol, drugs and smoking due to the misconception that everyone does it, so why not do it?

Students Against Destructive Decisions, a high school student group, is aiming to change that perception.

With grant funding, the Heartland Educational Consortium in Lake Placid is providing training and support for SADD chapters in eight high schools in five Heartland counties, including Highlands County's three high schools.

"It's really important to me that our youth know that our peers don't do drugs and that they don't smoke," said Avon Park High School sophomore Selina Olguin. "The majority of our peers think that they all do it, and it's cool and that we should do it, but it's not cool."

According to the 2008 Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey, 67 percent choose not to drink alcohol and 88 percent of Highlands' youth say drinking alcohol does not make you look cool.

Also, 95 percent of Highlands youth say smoking does not make you look cool.

Olguin describes herself as very athletic. She's on her school's soccer team and was a member of the swim team.

"I love clubs; I was in the art club," Olguin said. "I'm just a well-rounded person and I like to try new things."

But, currently, she is only in SADD.

"We are trying to get some guys in here, too, and we are trying to make it bigger and more known," Olguin said.

The Sebring High School SADD chapter has about 12 members, including its vice president, Mickey Lukens, who is also state SADD officer.

"Each week we are getting one or two more people come in," he noted.

"Most students are doing the right thing - they are not choosing to drink alcohol," Lukens said. "The minority is staining the reputation of the majority.

"So we are trying to get that percentage who are doing the wrong thing to stop those destructive decisions."

The SADD students are participating in the Drug Free Highlands "Be the Wall Campaign," which reminds adults not to allow or enable students to obtain and consume alcohol.

Those supporting the program sign a paper replica of a brick, which are then combined in a display representing a wall blocking students from using alcohol.

Walls are up in the schools and the sheriff's office to show how many people are supporting the program.

Sebring High School has two such walls with a total of 1,000 signatures, Lukens said.

Lukens said the SADD chapter welcomes all students.

"We want to make sure that SADD is inclusive and not an exclusive group," Lukens said. "If you are a student who participates in this behavior we are not going to exclude you from our group.

"We want you to come into our group so we can teach you and give you the tools to make your own decisions."

Olguin and Lukins spread the message when they don their SADD T-shirts on chapter meeting days. The shirts read - "MOST Highlands Youth Choose Not To ... ."

John Varady, Heartland Educational Consortium's Alcohol Abuse Reduction coordinator said, "part of our grant is the funding of SADD chapters and the support of SADD chapters because that's our way of mobilizing youth to get the message out."

The grant has one more year and then it is hoped that other grant funding will be secured or the program can be sustained with the help of school districts and community drug prevention coalitions, he said.

Highlands Today reporter Marc Valero can be reached at 386-5826 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it