Winners of the 2007 Anti-Drug Poster Contest


Yelena Koshchiy
GRAND PRIZE
8th Grade, McGary


Emily David
First Place
6th Grade, Christ the King


Logan Ball
Second Place
7th Grade, Evansville Christian School


Ashley Chang
First Place
8th Grade, McGary


Lauren Racine
Second Place
6th Grade, Trinity Lutheran


Hallie Nall
Second Place
8th Grade, Thompkins


William Rodenberg
Second Place
6th Grade, St. Boniface


Andrew Lasher
Second Place
7th Grade, Good Shepherd


Aimee Boyle
Second Place
6th Grade, Evansville Day School


Danielle Woodruff
Second Place
8th Grade, Harwood


Reid Mobley
Second Place
7th Grade, Perry Heights


Trey Fullilove
Second Place
8th Grade, McGary


Paige Reisinger
Second Place
8th Grade, Perry Heights

2007 Runners Up & Honorable Mentions


Amy Daniel
8th Grade, St. Theresa


Miranda Hobbs
7th Grade, Evans


Josh Hostettler
8th Grade, Helfrich Park


Jamie Logel
7th Grade, Resurrection


Lauren Longest
8th Grade, Oakhill


Maria Mehringer
6th Grade, St. Benedict Cathedral


Abbey Schmitt
7th Grade, St. James


Cole Simpson
6th Grade, St. Wendel


Thu Thien Suong Trinh
7th Grade, Holy Redeemer


HONORABLE MENTION
Lauren Blikken
7th Grade, Perry Heights


HONORABLE MENTION
Taylor Boyd
8th Grade, McGary


HONORABLE MENTION
Heather Burke
8th Grade, McGary


HONORABLE MENTION
Reagann Conner
8th Grade, Thompkins


HONORABLE MENTION
Tara Cruse
8th Grade, Thompkins


HONORABLE MENTION
Caroline Ellert
7th Grade, St. Boniface


HONORABLE MENTION
Kelsey Erwin
8th Grade, Oakhill


HONORABLE MENTION
Mary Hubert
6th Grade, Christ the King


HONORABLE MENTION
Katie Koewler
8th Grade, St. Boniface


HONORABLE MENTION
Yue Xing Lu
8th Grade, McGary


HONORABLE MENTION
Christie Mack
8th Grade, Holy Redeemer


HONORABLE MENTION
Rachel Massey
8th Grade, Christ the King


HONORABLE MENTION
Hailey Scharr
7th Grade, Perry Heights


HONORABLE MENTION
Devon Tenbarge
7th Grade, St. Boniface


HONORABLE MENTION
Ariana Weare
8th Grade, Thompkins


HONORABLE MENTION
Shawn Wilson
8th Grade, McGary


HONORABLE MENTION
Dillon Wire
8th Grade, McGary


HONORABLE MENTION
Lacey Wolford
8th Grade, Christ the King

A Message From Judge Brett J. Niemeier

Dear Parents of Middle School Students: The next few years will be some of the most important times of your child's life and development. Your child will experience many new activities and emotions. They may, for the first time, feel a need to fit in and find their place in the world. While most of these activities will have a positive impact on their life, some of them can have devastating results. Almost every middle school child will unfortunately be presented with the opportunity to use drugs and alcohol. A recent study of over 3,000 local students concluded that 23% of our local 8th graders drink alcohol at least once a month and have smoked marijuana. By the time they have reached 10th grade, that number more than doubles.

I see teenagers from all walks of life in my court. Many of their parents believe that it can't happen to their child. I have seen an increasing number of honor roll students charged with drunk driving and drug related offenses. It is important for you as parents to help protect your child from getting involved in activities that can lead to devatating results. Open discussions with your child about the potential dangers and implications of consuming drugs and alcohol can go a long way in prevention. Always ask them questions about school and outside activities. Are their grades slipping? Are they more argumentative? Many times these are signs of drug and alcohol usage not just being a teenager. Drugs and alcohol can cause changes in personality and goals. Proper guidance and nurturing can help prevent your child from being another statistic of drugs and alcohol.

Sincerely,

Brett J. Niemeier
Vanderburgh Superior Court Judge
Juvenile Division

Vanderburgh County Substance Abuse Services:

Vanderburgh County Prosecutor's Office
Drug Law Enforcement Program
812-435-5110
Evansville Police Department Narcotics Unit 812-436-7917
Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Department Narcotics Unit 812-435-5713
Indiana State Police Narcotics Unit 812-425-2266
Drug Enforcement Administration 812-465-6457
Indiana State Police Major Drug Section (Indianapolis) 317-247-1852 or
1-800-735-7416 ext. 9286
Drug & Alcohol Deferral Service (DADS) 812-435-5775
Drug Crisis Referral Center 812-464-7710
Narcotics Anonymous 812-422-5300
Alcoholics Anonymous 812-464-2219


Warning Signs of Substance Abuse:

  1. Loss of interest in activities, significant drop in school or work performance, lack of motivation and enthusiasm.
  2. Personality changes. An "I don't care" attitude, irritability, hostility, paranoia, over-reaction to criticism, secretiveness, drop in normal family warmth.
  3. Change in personal habits, values and friends; friends who won't identify themselves.
  4. Physical decline: weight loss, neglect of appearance, acting intoxicated, pale complexion, change in vitality and sleep patterns.
  5. Reduced memory, concentration and attention span.
  6. Smell of marijuana (sweet, brunt odor) in room, on clothes, etc. or attempt to disguise it with cigarettes, beer, room deodorizer, incense, etc. Visine for red eyes.
  7. Physical evidence: roach (butt) or roach holder (clip) from a joint, rolling papers, seeds or leaves, pipes or "bongs," devices for hiding the "stash," such as cans with false bottoms, other drug paraphernalia and magazines.
  8. Disappearances of items of value or money from home, unexplained drain on finances; items missing from medicine cabinet.