Keeping kids on the straight and narrow

In his camouflage fatigues and work boots, it’s easy for U.S. Army National Guard Sgt. David You to command respect, but for the past 14 weeks, the respect he has gained has been from Lawrence students, not soldiers.

You has presented the national “Stay on Track” program to some 70 Lawrence Middle School students in grades six through eight in six classes each Friday for the past four months.

The students, who have academic and behavioral challenges, learned how to avoid alcohol and drug use and make positive lifestyle choices through team building and communication exercises.

“There has been a change in their motivation, self-esteem,” said You, who added, “Inroads, yes, absolutely. In the beginning there were some who were shy and a lot who were disruptive; discipline was a big factor. The last 10 weeks, no problems here.”

Noting the difference between heading a unit of soldiers and being in charge of a classroom, You said that in terms of discipline, military bearing can only cover so much. “I am very firm, but respectful with them,” he said.

In turn, a majority of the students have developed a healthy respect for You and the information he has shared with them these past weeks. All four young men who spoke in class on Dec. 17, the last day of this part of the year’s classes, all thanked You for bringing this program to their school.

Eighth-grader Kevin Cruz said he appreciated the knowledge he gained about drugs and stimulants he didn’t know about, and got a kick out of one specific presentation. “When we wore the ‘beer goggles,’ we saw what it looked like when you’re drunk,” Cruz said. “I’m really thankful that Sergeant You came here and helped us out.”

Another eighth-grader, Jeffrey Velasquez, noted learning about what smoking — and specifically, nicotine — does to your lungs, possibly causing emphysema. “Sergeant You told us about that and what is right and not right,” said Velasquez.

Stay on Track is one of two parts of the National Guard’s effort to reduce the drug problem in this country. The first part is enforcement — interdiction efforts in collaboration with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

The second part is Stay on Track education and prevention strategies designed to reduce demand.

The slogan “Drug Free Starts With Me,” and the concept of respecting oneself, is taught by You and nearly 240 Guardsmen and 339 teachers in 46 states and territories to more than 125,000 students in partnership with the Florida-based National Center for Prevention and Research Solutions.

“I really enjoyed Sergeant You telling us all about the types of drugs,” said seventh-grader Marquan Williams.

Kevin Ulloa told You that he was “thankful that you took your valuable time to help us and make it easy for us.”

You, along with other Guardsmen, conducted a team-building staff development for middle school employees on Nov. 2 that many staff members said was the “best development day they had ever been a part of,” according to Assistant Principal Rina Beach.

You is expected to continue the program in the second half of the school year with six classes, Beach explained.

Said eighth-grader Simon Jones, “Now we know what could happen and what would happen if we use drugs.”