I attended the first Underage Drug and Alcohol Prevention Forum last week at Key Peninsula Middle School. The Peninsula School District, in cooperation with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department and Communities In Schools of Peninsula — under its Comprehensive Services program — presented the forum at all four of the district’s middle schools.

This part of the program was for eighth-graders in KPMS’ commons; the one for seventh-graders in the gym involved  triple-amputee Bob Mortimer, who had a very important story to tell.

“The drug and alcohol prevention assembly was part of our overall plan and is part of what we call comprehensive services,” said Laurel Shultz, CISP program director. “The main contact this year was Gig Harbor High’s Cory Uddenberg; it is her senior project. In the past, we’ve done more providing this service; this year, it was Cory’s show.

“Comprehensive services address student needs in a broader sense,” she said. “Risk factors that may impact a student’s success in school are matched by CISP staff with a corresponding comprehensive service.”

Shultz said a drug and alcohol assembly educates students who may be at risk of using.

“It is geared to keep students from engaging in dangerous behaviors that may impact their academics,” she said. “The information may contribute to healthy choices in the future. Both seventh- and eighth-grade students were invited to participate.”

Uddenberg said teenagers feel invincible.

“In contradiction to that notion, I believe teenagers make decisions every day, like consuming drugs and alcohol, which threaten their lives and their futures,” she said.

Uddenberg said she chose the concept for her senior project because students need to have the knowledge to make informed decisions.

“In my opinion, we are raising the best generation America has ever produced,” Mortimer said. “It is energetic, articulate, and has a deep sense of right and wrong. It also faces dangers, distractions and challenges at a level no other generation had to experience. I want to help this generation reach its full potential.”

Mortimer’s amputations were the result of a car accident after a night of drinking and driving.

“I admit my past mistakes, and my missing limbs are a visible reminder that there is an irrevocable price to be paid for poor choices,” he said.

At the same time, Mortimer said the focus of his message isn’t “Don’t drink and drive.”

“We all make mistakes, and we all suffer losses,” he said. “I present a message of overcoming tragedy and making the best of your life.

“My message is, ‘The only handicap we have is the one we put on ourselves, and it has nothing to do with arms, legs or wheelchairs.’ Handicaps can be our attitudes, low self-esteem, prejudice, and alcohol and drugs. True handicaps are the thoughts and actions we bring into our lives that keep us from being our best.”

Here’s what seventh-graders learned a variety of things.

“You do not need to be like anyone else,” Cassie Bundrick said. “You should be yourself; there is no one else like you. We are all individuals and different from each other.

Tiffany McNulty said she’s had drugs around her in the past.

“To hear that inspiring speech makes me have a different respect for me and other people,” she said.
“I learned that one bad choice makes a ripple effect, and affects other people lives,” Julian Dorny said.

Lexi Graham said it was a life-changing experience.

“It really made me think,” she said.

Taylor Johnson “learned that there are weak friends and strong friends, and you never walk away from a crash or a friend in need.”

It had an impact on eighth-graders, too.

“The drug assembly changed my view on drugs,” Mary Stevens said. “I’ve learned that one person can make a difference. The story of the boy burning alive in his Jeep for 45 minutes made a huge impact on me.”

Dom Nole said it’s nice to know the short- and long-term effects that come from taking drugs. 
“Just because you make one stupid choice, you can ruin another person’s life forever,” Georgia Felts said. “A one-time thing for you can make a lifetime of troubles for another.”

KPMS Assistant Principal Tyrone Robuck believes the drug assembly changed students’ lives.
So do I.

Hugh McMillan is a longtime freelance writer for The Peninsula Gateway. He can be reached at 253-884-3319 or by email at hmcmnp1000@centurytel.net.