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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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Peer Edcation Groups Eager To Attract Teens

Rachel Harding Mt. Spokane High

While temperatures soared to the high 90s during that sweltering first weekend of August, about 100 teens tried to cool off at the first Peer Educators retreat.

The retreat, at Camp Gifford on Deer Lake, was funded by the Drug and Alcohol Substance Abuse Organization and aimed to encourage teens to get involved in one of the many peer education groups active in the Spokane area.

All of these groups are recruiting new students.

YAK, Youth Awareness Korp, is a group organized to increase awareness of HIV/AIDS issues, and the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases. To get involved call Sharlynn Rima at 324-1466.

The Prevention Youth Council is designed to prevent violence, substance abuse and traffic fatalities. The group uses a puppet show that teaches children how drugs can hurt a person. Some members speak at schools and community events about drugs and violence. They meet monthly. For more information, call 922-8383.

Peers Advocating Communication and Empowerment, or PACE, is the group I have been involved in for two years. PACE covers a broad range of topics in the play “Growing Up Is Hard To Do.” Topics include substance abuse, date rape, suicide and homosexuality. The group meets every Tuesday. Members perform their skits at various schools. For information, call Jodi Porter at 324-1527.

Spokane Teens Against Tobacco, or STAT, focuses on teens educating others about the dangers of cigarettes, cigars and chewing tobacco. For more information call Sharlynn at 324-1466, Tricia at 324-1425 or Marni at 326-5802.

Odyssey focuses on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues. It uses open discussion groups to get people talking about the issues. For more information, call Robert or Lisa at 325-3637.

The last group at the retreat was just starting to form. First things First is sponsored by Planned Parenthood and is designed to deal with various sexuality issues and train teens to help their peers with the issues. It meets twice a month. For more information, call Shirlyn at 326-6292.

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