PERRYVILLE WILL SPONSOR DRUG EDUCATION FAIR

PERRYVILLE -- Educating kids about the dangers of drug abuse can't start too early, according to Barbara Kutz, drug education coordinator at Perryville schools.

Kutz has organized the district's first-ever Drug Education Fair, which will be held today from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Junior High School Gymnasium.

St. Louis Cardinal mascot FredBird will be on hand, along with the Southeast Missouri State University Otahkian basketball team to help present the message to kids that drugs can wreck your dreams and ruin your health, Kutz said.

"We're going to present choices and consequences," Kutz said. "We'll show them what can happen to them if they choose to use drugs."

Kutz said the physiological, psychological and legal ramifications of drug abuse will be presented.

The fair will be informal. Parents and kids are invited to stroll through the gymnasium, where area law enforcement and counseling agencies will have informational booths set up.

The public is invited to the fair and there is no admission charge.

Kutz said though illegal drugs will be discussed, so will alcohol, which she feels is the biggest drug-related problem faced by area youth.

"Alcohol has been a way of life for so long, it's hard for people to see that it does considerable harm," she said. "We don't see the type of crack and cocaine abuse that you might see in an inner city schools, but we try to introduce them to the dangers of all drugs."

Kutz said the fair will be aimed at all ages, from preschool on up. She said displays will include one that depicts the effects of second-hand smoke on the lungs.

The fair is being sponsored by Drug Free Schools, Perryville Optimists, Perryville Lions Club, Perryville Auto Supply and the SADD chapters at Perryville High School and St. Vincent's High School.

Kutz said as part of the district's drug awareness program, former Cardinal baseball player Ken Reitz will be at the schools Monday and Tuesday to talk about his experiences with drug abuse.