OPERATION GRADUATION'S AIM IS SAFETY

High school graduation. It is a passage between childhood and adulthood -- a time of reflection and celebration. Sometimes the celebrations get out of hand when alcohol is involved.

A new program called Operation Graduation takes aim at promoting chemical-free high school graduation parties. TCI Cable deserves credit for its sponsorship of the program that will help students throughout Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio.

New cable subscribers aided the efforts as well. A portion of each new subscription or upgrade went to pay for the chemical-free graduation parties. Some 50 schools in Southern Illinois and Southeast Missouri will qualify for the promotion.

Dr. Dan Tallent, superintendent of the Cape Girardeau Public Schools, feels that chemical-free graduation parties are a good idea. Activities are monitored and doors are locked after a certain time so there's no confusion about student whereabouts.

Graduation is a time that students embark upon a bright future. The euphoria shouldn't end instantaneously in a drunk-driving accident.