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DEA agent visits LaGrange Park Webelos
Updated: December 23, 2012 6:10AM
LAGRANGE PARK — On Sept. 18, Drug Enforcement Agent Owen Putman came to speak to Packs 39 and 66 Webelos 1 of LaGrange Park.
He spoke about the DEA, what agents do, drugs, and how to say no to drugs. He also talked to us about Red Ribbon Awareness Week in October, to increase awareness of drug prevention.
He told us all about good drugs and bad drugs. For example, prescription drugs can be good for you, unless they are abused. Examples of some bad drugs include tobacco, alcohol, marijuana and heroin. Tobacco and alcohol can be used occasionally in small amounts if you are an adult. Some effects of drugs include death, drunkenness and cancer. They can make you feel no pain, and you may hurt yourself. They may also make you act strangely, and regret what you did.
At the end of the presentation, Putman gave us a chance to ask him questions about being an agent and about drugs.
This presentation gave us information on how to stay away from drugs, and to never abuse them. Drugs are a big problem in our country, and starting to be available to younger kids close to our age. We learned to talk to someone we trust, like our parents or the police, if we are offered drugs. You must say “NO” strongly, not “Maybe tomorrow,” or “I don’t think I should,” because then they may ask you again.
We learned agents can be in dangerous positions, and can be killed while working on a job. Red Ribbon Awareness Week, hosted by the DEA, is in memory of Agent Enrique Camarena, who was killed in Mexico while working against drugs. To increase awareness of the problems they can cause, we handed out informational coloring books, red ribbons, rulers and wristbands all with information about drugs and how they are bad for you.
We will earn a badge from the DEA for doing this project.
This article was written by Scouts in Packs 39 and 66 as part of their project.
