Middle school students form anti-meth group

Published on Sunday, April 20, 2008 9:10 AM MDT

It started when a father gave a bracelet with an anti-meth message to his son.

Dan Sullivan, now a eighth-grade student at Sidney Middle School, wore the "Not Even Once" bracelet and it caused some attention.

"I passed it (the bracelet) and he passed it along to somebody else," Sullivan said.

Bill Vander Weele | Sidney Herald
Group leaders include, front from left, Lyndsay Nesper, Kodi Satra; back, Dan Sullivan and Ryan Sullivan.

That was the beginning of the meth corps group that promotes a substance-free lifestyle at Sidney Middle School. The group has about 10 students including its leaders Sullivan, Lyndsay Nesper, Kodi Satra and Ryan Sullivan.

"It takes eight seconds to choose whether you do drugs or not," Ryan Sullivan says, remembering some of the information the group receives.

This year, the club challenges other middle school students to form a "chain of life." Students wrote on pieces of paper reasons not to do drugs. The colored papers were then connected.

"A lot of the sixth-graders did it," Ryan Sullivan said.

Reasons given by the students included being a good role model to younger students, sports and being too expensive.

Nesper said other projects are being planned including something geared around not drinking alcohol. The group is part of Students Against Destructive Decisions.

"We want to be good role models," Satra said.

"I've learned how many of my friends weren't into drugs," Nesper added. "It helps me realize what choices I should make."

The eighth-grade students hope to keep the organization going when they head to Sidney High School next school year.

"We want to do what we've been doing at the high school," Satra said.

They also hope that the program continues at Sidney Middle School for years to come.

"We have a meeting Tuesday where everybody has to bring a sixth-grader or seventh-grader and invite them to join," Satra said.

editor@sidneyherald.com

Print this story Post A Comment

Comments

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of the Sidney Herald.

Jim Stephens wrote on Apr 20, 2008 4:40 PM:

" This shows a lot of initiative and I wish them every success. We need all the help we can get in educating people about the realities of methamphetamine.

I'd like to personally invite the kids to use any of the content from our site that they think would be helpful.

http://www.allpositiveoptions.com/APOMeth1.htm

"

E Brost wrote on Apr 20, 2008 12:22 PM:

" This proves that only the ones affected by anything are the ones capable of confronting and dealing with it. These students are to be respected, admired and provided community support; but, mostly, to stay out of their way and let them do the job they are doing so very well. What incredible inititative, courage and integrity! "

WRITE A COMMENT

Comments Policy:

All comments transmitted through, or linked from the site, are the sole responsibility of the person from whom such content originated. www.sidneyherald.com encourages our readers to engage in civil discussions about issues. We encourage a collegial, non-insulting tone. Comments that are submitted are not posted to the site immediately, but are reviewed by Herald staff. The Herald cannot edit or change your submissions.

DO NOT POST:
* Potentially libelous statements or damaging innuendo.
* Obscene, explicit, or racist language.
* Personal attacks, insults or threats.
* The use of another person's real name to disguise your identity.
* Comments unrelated to the story.

There are some exceptions to the above rules when public figures are involved. We define public figures as individuals who work in the public’s eye and/or are candidates for public office and/or their position is paid with tax dollars.

Thank you for your comments!