Drug-Free School Council reviews past year, plans activities

By Steve Moyer

The Nevada Safe and Drug-Free School Advisory Council met at the Nevada High School Library Monday night recapping the activities of the past year and planning future activities. Ranea Schulze led the group in seeking new ways to present material to students to keep their message from getting stale or repetitive.

Phil Keim, retired firefighter and husband of Nevada's new police chief, offered some ideas on programs that might benefit Nevada students including a program he has presented to high school students. "I have a presentation on drinking or taking drugs and driving that I wouldn't show to younger students. I'd say only the older students should see it because it's very graphic. It has gone over well and is effective."

Keim also congratulated the community on the way it has adopted new ideas and technology. "You think "Well a big city like St. Louis has all the new things, it's ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant" and really it's not. Here you have things that large metropolitan areas don't and you should be congratulated on it."

Chief Christine Keim offered some ideas including bringing in an agent from the Drug Enforcement Administration to give a program. "The DEA has some very strong programs that has done a lot of good. We have used them in the past and they are always willing to come in and do what they can. We've used the St. Louis office for that but here the Kansas City office would probably provide the program."

Schulze provided information on a program she is working to get for the Nevada students. Dale "Mad Dog" Mesmer is a martial arts expert, veteran, sniper, and former cocaine smuggler. He was apprehended by federal agents while trying to smuggle cocaine into the country but made bail and skipped town.

After more than a year on the run Mesmer came into contact with a preacher who convinced him to turn himself in. Mesmer did, served his time and now speaks to students about his life.

"This would be a powerful tool for us and I think he would make an excellent choice for us," said Schulze.