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| Teens hear Red Ribbon Week anti-alcohol, anti-drug message |
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| Written by Maddy Houk / Patterson Irrigator / | |
| Saturday, 27 October 2007 | |
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“We want to get the kids engaged and interested.” — Lori Schumacher Center for Human Services  Mike Greelee Thirty teens stared at Greenlee and his mechanical arm as he recounted the history of his drug and alcohol abuse from when he was in eighth grade to when he lost his left arm in an industrial accident and when he finally sobered up in the early 1990s. “It took over my life,” Greenlee told the teens Wednesday. Greenlee, a counselor at Stanislaus County Juvenile Hall, spoke during the Teen Center’s Friday Night Live program in honor of the national Red Ribbon Week anti-drug campaign. He told attendees about how he moved to Waterford during fifth grade after his family moved frequently from place to place. He figured it would take time for him to adjust in the town of then 2,000 people. “That was the problem I seemed to have — I didn’t seem to fit in,” Greenlee said. “I just never felt like I was a part.” Greenlee started using alcohol and getting into trouble in eighth grade. “When I discovered alcohol, it seemed like I could fit in, but I still felt guilty about using it,” he said. “Looking back, I wish I paid attention to my feelings. I knew it was wrong when I started.” He knew the legal drinking age was 21. Even so, alcohol took over his life, despite help from his parents and his teachers. Years later, Greenlee went to work under the influence and lost his arm in an accident. Two of his children also had drug abuse problems. It wasn’t until his older daughter got clean and sober that he followed in her path. “That’s what alcohol does — it takes away feelings,” Greenlee said. “When I quit using substances in 1993, I was bombarded with feelings.” Greenlee has worked for Modesto’s Center for Human Services the past five years. He talks with juvenile hall inmates who struggle with substance abuse and gives them resources and contacts for help and counseling. “Probably, you don’t have those issues,” Greenlee said. “But maybe someone in your life does. I’m telling you, I had 25 years of miserable living through alcohol and substance abuse.” Greenlee said the Teen Center is a great place for teens, with plenty of adult support and options such as Al-Anon and Alateen and a hotline to call for help.  Elias Funez / Patterson Irrigator “What hurt more than anything when I lost my arm was I was under the influence,” Greenlee replied. “We think we’re thinking clearly, but we’re not.” Brittany Garcia, 13, said she was impressed by what Greenlee said. “It was really interesting because of what happened to that one guy’s life,” she said. “It made me think not to do the same things.” Before Greenlee’s presentation, kids played games of Fear Factor and went outside wearing “fatal vision” goggles as they played basketball to demonstrate how judgment is skewed under the influence of drugs and booze. They also danced to songs spun by disc jockey Jose Hernandez and Friday Night Live moderator Liz Perez. “This week is about making positive choices, by saying no to alcohol and drugs,” Perez told the group. Friday Night Live aims to promote healthy and positive youth development and encourages youth to be leaders in the community. Lori Schumacher of Center for Human Services described Wednesday’s gathering as similar to any rally at a school, with fun for all, but with an anti-drug message. Center for Human Services hopes to start a Friday Night Live group at the Teen Center, she said. “We want to get the kids engaged and interested,” Schumacher said. “We’re trying to have fun and raise awareness about being drug- and alcohol-free.” Joivani Ruvalcaba, 12, said he learned life lessons and had fun at the same time. “I liked today because they had music,” he said. “We got to dance and do an activity like Fear Factor. “I feel sorry for the guy who lost his arm. I’m not going to drink, because it can cause problems and you could get a heart attack.” To reach Maddy Houk at the Irrigator, call 892-6187 or e-mail her at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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