Relaying drug-free message

THE GREENWOOD GIANTS complete the ceremonial first lap of Saturday’s Drug Free Relay. The team was comprised primarily of Greenwood Elementary School staff members. DICK MASON

From a distance all one could clearly see were about 200 glow sticks circling the track — lights of spirit and hope meant to shine eternally.

The glow sticks were being carried Saturday night during the memory lap of the 12th annual Drug Free Relay. The lap was in remembrance of friends and relatives who have succumbed to the demons of drugs and alcohol or are battling them.

“One light cannot conquer the problem. Many lights combined can make such a significant difference,’’ Harris said.

So ended the final quarter mile of Saturday’s relay, one in which participants walked and ran more than 600 miles to express their endorsement of drug- and alcohol-free lifestyles in Union County.

Seventy-two of those miles were logged by the Union County Sheriff’s Department team, which won the relay for the second straight year.

Sheriff’s Department deputy Bill Miller was presented his team’s winning plaque around 10 p.m. Saturday. Miller said the team takes pride in its performance at the relay.

“We try to keep ourselves fit and set an example for the community,’’ he said.

The Vibrant Volleyballers, comprised of members of La Grande High School’s volleyball team, placed second by covering 59 miles.

“We are going to tell our coach we should not have to run anymore (at practice) because this shows what good condition we are in,’’ said team member Tessa Tsiatsos, an LHS senior.

Teammate Mackenzie Trotter, also a senior, said the Vibrant Volleyballers will be back for the 2010 Drug Free Relay.

“We’ll train next year to beat the sheriff’s department. We will dominate next year,’’ Trotter said with a good-natured laugh.

The Drug-Free Youth team, comprised of La Grande Middle School students, finished third by logging 52 miles.

The Sheriff’s Department, Vibrant Volleyballers and D-FY teams were among 20 squads that participated in the relay, which raises thousands of dollars each year to promote drug- and alcohol-free lifestyles, lifestyles made possible by strong family bonds.

The bonds were endorsed by La Grande Police Chief Brian Harvey in his keynote address around 9:50 a.m. Saturday. Harvey, making reference to the old “Andy Griffith Show,’’ said people in La Grande like to think of themselves as living in a community with a “Mayberry’’ quality of life.

“To some degree we do (have such a community). But we do have a drug problem,’’ Harvey said. “The good news is that it is not as bad here as it is in many other places.’’

Harvey said the key to addressing the issue is making sure children grow up in good families with parents who do not use drugs or tolerate them. Parents must accept responsibility as role models.

The police chief noted that the old national “Just Say No’’ to drugs campaign was well run but did not address the root of substance abuse problems because it put “ ... the burden on children rather than adults.’’

Harvey said it is critical parents make sure their children are disciplined when caught doing improper things. He is dismayed when he sees parents defending their sons and daughters when authorities catch them with drugs.

“If parents don’t allow children to take consequences they think life has no consequences,’’ Harvey said. “You are setting your children up for failure if you don’t allow them to experience consequences. ... Just because parents provide no consequences does not mean the judge will not offer consequences.’’

Community leaders addressing all relay participants Saturday included La Grande School District Superintendent Larry Glaze, who spoke prior to the start of the memorial lap.

“I ask that each of you be drug-free. That will be the most important decision you will make in your whole life,’’ Glaze said.

Most of the teams at Saturday’s relay had 10 members. This meant participants had plenty of time to relax between running or walking their legs. There was no shortage of things for them to do during their breaks. Activities at the site included a volleyball tournament won by the relay’s directors and a new 3-on-3 basketball tourney claimed by Zion’s Camp.

A Big Toys station was available to youths and musical entertainment was also provided by local groups throughout. Activities also included an evening dance, one which proved to be a highlight for Cove High School sophomore Griffin Fleming and LHS juniors John Shown and Jordan VanLaarhoven. The three teenagers persuaded everyone at the dance to link together for a “chain train’’ for two to three minutes — three minutes Fleming, Shown and VanLaarhoven described as almost magical.

“It was incredible,’’ Fleming said.

The three also had fun during the actual relay, carrying two girls on a couch with help from six others for one lap.

Michael Gillis, a junior at LHS, is another of many teenagers who had fun at the relay, noting that playing ultimate Frisbee was the highlight for him.

Many at Saturday’s relay were adults including the Energetic Educators, comprised of La Grande School District teachers. The team won the relay’s spirit award. Chelsee Rohan, an LHS counselor and a team member, said the relay served as a way to bridge a gap between students and faculty.

“We’re not their teachers today. We’re out here to have fun with them,’’ Rohan said.