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Students Take Drug IQ Test

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By MICHELE SAGER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 19, 2007

NEW TAMPA - Is it all right to take an illegal drug to take away physical or emotional pain? Will you become addicted from taking a hit on a crack pipe? Is Ecstasy a safe drug to use?

These were some of the questions posed to a group of Wharton High students during a recent drug IQ test; the student responses might be surprising to some parents.

"Some people need to smoke marijuana because they get stressed," one student told a teacher. "It helps you just chill."

Another student said one hit on a crack pipe couldn't turn someone into a "crack head." Another student said people use Ecstasy to get ready for sex.

The honest responses are the harsh realities of some teens' thoughts on drugs and other pressures facing them. That's why mentors with the Derrick Brooks Charities Youth Program are going into local high schools to discuss these issues and educate students on life choices.

The group spent the past few weeks at Wharton High meeting with students about issues such as drugs and sex. The group will hold similar seminars at other high schools in the county.

"We talk to them about making positive choices and taking responsibility for their actions," said William Knowles, one of the instructors. "We want to facilitate honest discussions and bring about positive changes."

Separate sessions are held for the males and females because some of the discussion includes frank talk about sex. The students are brought together for one final session.

"Our first priority is to promote abstinence," Knowles said. "But we also talk about teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases."

Instructor Courtney Wilder led the lessons with the girls. She talked with the students about misconceptions and gave them a new outlook. For example, she gave a new perspective to the student who thought people need to get high to relax.

"You can't run to drugs every time you have a problem," Wilder said. "You can't stay high for life."

Reporter Michele Sager can be reached at (813) 865-4843 or msager@tampatrib.com.

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