Marijuana, Tobacco Facts
SIDNEY – School safety officer Curtis Hofrock spoke to fifth-graders at West Elementary in Sidney Wednesday morning about the facts.
Marijuana facts and tobacco facts. Both good subjects for Red Ribbon Week.
This year’s theme at West and Central schools is “Better things to do than drugs.”
According to school guidance counselor Carla Brauer, Hofrock’s philosophy is that students already know how to say no, he just gives them the facts and then lets them use the information to make a choice.
Students were given a 17-question quiz about their knowledge of tobacco and what compounds are found in tobacco products.
The information showed tobacco contains elements such as arsenic, carbon monoxide, lead and other toxins.
He warned students to be mindful of homemade Halloween treats when they go trick-or-treating this weekend.
“Check your candy,” he said. “If it’s homemade then throw it away.”
He discussed the side effects of marijuana and said police officer use drug dugs to detect it in foods, part of why it is a good idea to not eat homemade treats since desserts are usually the food of choice for those using “pot” as an ingredient for treats.
Other slang for the popular teen drug of choice is weed, ganga, reefer, Mary Jane, blunt, joint, roach and nail.
Hofrock said talking to parents is important.
“It’s good for you and your parents to be on the same page,” he said.
Red Ribbon Week will conclude tomorrow with a red balloon release at Central School at 11 a.m. and one at West from 11:45 to 12:15 p.m.
By Jessica Bauerkemper jessicab@suntelegraph.com
October 28, 2009
