[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 68 (Thursday, May 23, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S4834]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            EDUCATION HEROES

 Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. President, today I salute some 
education heroes in my home state of Oregon. I want to recognize the 
efforts of both the South Coast Interagency Narcotics Team and a group 
of Millicoma Middle School 8th graders from Coos Bay, Oregon.
  For 3 years, the South Coast Interagency Narcotics Team, SCINT, has 
visited local middle schools to run their ``Pathfinders'' drug abuse 
prevention program. As part of the Pathfinders program, experts in drug 
abuse prevention visit 6th, 7th, and 8th grade classes for 2 weeks 
every year to teach our young adults about the dangers of drugs. Not 
only does the SCINT team teach students about the physical harm drugs 
do to our bodies, but, perhaps most importantly, they teach students 
about the effect drugs have on our minds, and about how young adults 
can make the right choices when it comes to avoiding drug abuse.
  What makes the Pathfinders program stand out is that just over 1 
month ago we saw the results of that program in action. On April 18, 
while on a field trip to our state capitol in Salem, 19 students from 
the Millicoma Middle School were approached by a drug dealer. Luckily, 
those 8th grade students were the first in Coos Bay to complete all 3 
years of the Pathfinders program, and knew exactly how to respond. The 
students just said ``no'', went on to their hotel, and alerted their 
chaperones, which is precisely what they were taught to do.
  I am extremely proud of these students, and I know their community is 
proud as well. Not only were they recognized by their middle school 
peers, but they will soon be recognized by their new high school as 
well. Next fall, Marshfield High School will welcome those special 8th 
graders as freshmen, and will dedicate a new American flag to fly above 
the high school in their honor. The flag will serve as a reminder to 
all students that strong character coupled with good choices have 
always served our nation well.
  The education that takes place in our schools has real world 
consequences, and it is essential that we take time to salute the 
people who help our nation's young adults make proper choices in their 
lives. Teachers, administrators, parents, and community members like 
the South Coast Interagency Narcotics Team are to be commended for 
their work, because without their efforts 19 more middle school 
students might be experimenting with drugs. Nineteen more middle school 
students could very well be dropping out of school or even going to 
jail. I want to thank the South Coast Interagency Narcotics Team and 
the Millicoma Middle School for reminding us once again that our 
communities are producing just the kinds of citizens we want leading 
America into the 21st century.

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