DATE: Sunday, November 2, 1997              TAG: 9710310240

SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS     PAGE: 12   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY DAWSON MILLS, CORRESPONDENT 

                                            LENGTH:   76 lines

TRUCKING COMPANY DELIVERS POSITIVE MESSAGE

The shiny white Con-Way Southern Express Ford diesel tractor pulling a 28-foot trailer that lumbered up behind Westhaven Elementary School Monday, brought an unusual cargo. Instead of carrying boxes and cartons, it delivered a message: ``Just say no to drugs.''

``Con-Way Southern Express is teaming up with the national family partnership,'' explained CSE's Portsmouth service center manager, Bill Scott, who came along for the visit. ``We're doing this for the kids. We let them jump in the truck and pull the air horn. We've done this for years. Our company does this all across the country.''

In past years, CSE trucks and drivers based in Portsmouth have visited selected schools throughout Hampton Roads. But this year, for the first time, as part of National Red Ribbon Week, an anti-drug program aimed at America's youth, the company's employees planned visits to all 29 public schools in Portsmouth and John F. Kennedy Middle School in Suffolk.

At the schools, in addition to touring the truck, each student received candy, a pencil, a drug-free pledge card, and a red ribbon with the slogan ``I've Got Better Things To Do Than Drugs.''

The driver of the truck, Bill Lindsey, of Virginia Beach, a driver-trainer who has placed first in Virginia and eleventh in the country in the national Truck Driving Championships competition, talked to students about the importance of remaining drug-free. To drive a truck like his, he said, you have to have a Commercial Driver's License. You can't get that license, he pointed out, if you use drugs.

Cheryl Wood, CSE's customer service representative in Portsmouth, helped pass out pencils, candy, pledge cards and ribbons. Her nine year-old daughter, Jennifer Facenda, is a fourth grader at Westhaven.

Wood's neighbor, April Dail, president of Westhaven's Parent-Teacher Association, was also present to help out.

``I think it's wonderful,'' said Dail. ``It teaches our children that doing drugs is totally uncool.''

Dail had another reason to be glad for CSE's help. Before she learned that the company would supply the ribbons for the 594 students and approximately 80 teachers and staff, she pointed out, she was planning to cut and make them by hand.

``I think it's absolutely wonderful,'' said Westhaven's principal, Dr. Helen Taylor. ``I think anything to help our young make excellent decisions about things that can hurt them is wonderful. I believe in a strong academic program but you have to be aware of problems in the community. It's all part of an academic and social education.''

Wood had contacted Westhaven's guidance counselor, Lilieous Holloway, to arrange the visit. Holloway, too, was delighted to receive the boost to the school's on-going anti-drug initiatives.

Said Holloway: ``It's in conjunction with National Red Ribbon Week. I love it that this week comes in the fall. It's a great thing. The kids get the message quick. It prepares them for spring when our 'Just Say No' club gets started.''

The kids, indeed, seemed to be getting the message.

``I liked it,'' said pre-kindergartner Brandon Martin, 4, who liked the truck, the ribbon, the pencil and the candy best.

But did he understand what Scott and Lindsey were trying to explain?

``Drugs,'' he responded without hesitation. ``Because we should stay away from them 'cause they're bad for you.''

``I think it's a very good thing that they celebrate this,'' said Sandra Russo, 10, Westhaven's Student Council Association president. ``I think the visit will make people remember that nobody should do drugs.''

Said Wood's daughter, Jennifer Facenda: ``You should say no to drugs because they can mess up your life.''

``It's neat,'' added Facenda's classmate, Amanda Taylor, 9. ``I want a chance to go in the truck. I think drugs are a bad idea.''

CSE is a regional trucking company specializing in next-day and second-day delivery service. It is part of Con-Way Transportation Services, a Fortune 25 company based in Palo Alto, Calif. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by Dawson Mills

CSE driver Bill Lindsey talks students at Westhaven Elementary

School about staying off of drugs.

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu