Don't Forget:
Schedule your Aim For Success programs for next school year by May 31, 2009 and lock in this year's prices. Don't forget about our new drug prevention program, Power to Succeed. It's receiving rave review across the country. |
Upcoming Aim For Success Program Locations
May 2009
Abilene, TX
Academy, TX
Allen, TX
Arlington, TX
Bells, TX
Carrollton, TX
Colleyville, TX
Colorado City, TX
Coppell, TX
Crockett, TX
Crosbyton, TX
Dallas, TX
DeKalb, TX
Fairfield, TX
Flower Mound, TX
Floydada, TX
Frankston, TX
Frisco, TX
Ganado, TX
George West, TX
Grand Prairie, TX
Houston, TX
Joshua, TX
Lamesa, TX
Lorenzo, TX
Lubbock, TX
Luling, TX
Meadow, TX
Mesquite, TX
Mt. Pleasant, TX
New Boston, TX
New Waverly, TX
Pearsall, TX
Port Lavaca, TX
Portland, OR
Riesel, TX
Rockwall, TX
Ropesville, TX
San Marcus, TX
Scurry, TX
Sealy, TX
Southlake, TX
Sugar Land, TX
Sunnyvale, TX
Taylor, TX
Victoria, TX
Wolfforth, TX
Wylie, TX
June 2009
Houston, TX
New Iberia, LA
St. Louis, MO
July 2009
Mesquite, TX
St. Louis, MO
August 2009
El Paso, TX
Irving, TX
Saratoga, TX
September 2009
Anna, TX
Bridge City, TX
Forney, TX
Grandfield, OK
High Island, TX
McLeod, TX
Smithville, TX
Sundown, TX
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| Greetings!
Parents, beware of those lazy days of summer when your children have nothing to do. This is when so many young people experiment with drugs for the very first time. Each day in June and July over 6,300 youth try their first joint of marijuana. That's 40% more per day than the rest of the year. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Seasonality of Youth's First-Time Use of Marijuana, Cigarettes, or Alcohol, June 4, 2004.)
Talk to your kids now and remind them why it is so important to avoid drugs and alcohol.
To learn more about how to talk your kids about  drugs and alcohol we recommend you read Involved:Parents' Connection to Drug Prevention co-authored by Marilyn Morris of Aim For Success and Todd Raybuck with the Las Vegas Police Department.
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Jenny's Story
As re-told by Marilyn Morris
I was 16 when Brian entered my life. There were exactly 12 lockers separating us. Brian went to his locker three times a day - first thing in the morning, after lunch and at the end of the day. It was totally out of my way to go to my locker after lunch, but just seeing his face made my afternoon classes bearable. I guess deep inside I hoped during one of these brief encounters Brian would notice me. But what were the odds? He was popular. I was shy and an absolute nobody. And since he could have any girl in the school, why would he ever notice at me?
On Saturday night, my best friend Janie and I went to a party. We had barely gotten through the door when she handed me a beer and said, "Here, drink this. How do you expect guys to notice you, if you don't loosen up?"
I had never tasted alcohol. After one sip, I knew I would have preferred a Coke. But I also knew I would look foolish if I didn't finish it. Then I started feeling lightheaded. Janie suggested I go to the kitchen and eat something. As I turned the corner heading for the kitchen, I ran into Brian - literally. As we collided, his beer poured down my blouse. I was drenched. My head was spinning, Brian was apologizing, and I just stood there in shock. I couldn't believe I was now face-to-face with the man of my dreams. What a way for him to notice me! Brian handed me a towel. Then he handed me another beer. How could I refuse?
The next morning I felt sick - physically and emotionally. My head was pounding as I tried to figure out exactly what had happened. It wasn't rape. I never asked him to stop. But it wasn't what I wanted. Everything was such a blur. I suppose it was the beer. Janie said it would loosen me up. I just didn't know how loose it would make me. I wanted Brian to notice me, but not like that! Now I worried about what he thought of me. How would he respond to me on Monday morning?
When I got to my locker, he wasn't there. I got my books out and then I heard a voice behind me saying, "Hey, I had fun with you Friday night. We should get together again sometime." Before I could say anything he said, "By the way, what did you say your name was?"
"Jenny," I replied.
"Oh yeah, I remember now," he said glancing down  the hall. As he walked away, he quickly turned back to me and said, "Well, I'll see you later, Jenny" Then he yelled, "Amber, wait up for me!" I then watched the man of my dreams run down the hall and put his arm around another girl. He whispered something in her ear and they laughed together as they disappeared in the crowd of students.
I wanted to die. Right there and then, just fall on the floor and die. I meant nothing to him and what we had done together had meant nothing to him. He didn't even remember my name.
By the end of the day, things went from bad to worse. As I was leaving school, Derrick, came up and said, "Hey, Brian said the two of you had a good time on Friday night. How about you and me going out tonight?" I just stared at him. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I emphatically responded, "No! I'm not that kind of girl."
Under his breath he replied, "You were Friday night."
I looked him square in the eye and said, "But I'm not anymore."
That was eight years ago. I am now 24, a college graduate and married to a wonderful man. It took a long time to get over that horrible ordeal. The memories can still come flooding back if I allow them. But my youth minister at church helped me see the importance of forgiving myself and letting the past go. He also kept reminding me how courageous I was by walking away from the entire mess. He assured me there were lots of really great guys who were looking for more than sex - and he was right. Of course, there is one less available guy. You see, I recently married one of those amazing guys.
Richard and I met in college. We were best friends for several months before we realized this was more than a friendship. When I finally told Richard the horrible details about what happened, he held me tight and we cried together. My deepest regret in life is that I didn't save myself for my husband on our wedding night.
My advice to anyone reading this story is to remember someday you are going to find yourself telling the man or woman of your dreams about your past. Therefore, be careful with your choices today, so tomorrow your memories will be filled with joy and not regrets.
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One Thing Leads to Another
Teens who smoke are more likely to drink alcohol and use drugs.
Teens who drink alcohol and use drugs are more likely to have sex.
Not all teens who have sex will face a pregnancy or STDs but most regret their decision to have sex. (National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy)
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Abstinence Works
"I really believe Aim For Success has decreased our instances of pregnancies in our district."
Mike Wiley, Olton Junior High Principal in Olton, Tx
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