Ever determined to keep neighborhood children drug-free, the Turn Around New Cassel/Westbury (TANC/W) Drugfighters, culminated another year-long program working in the Westbury Schools with an awards program at Park Avenue Elementary School.

The awards program recognized students who participated in an essay and poster contest, in which students were challenged to creatively express what it is to be drug, gang and crime free. Sixty-four students at the school took part in the contest, and six winners received savings bonds donated by the Greater Westbury Lions Club.

The theme of the contest was derived from coloring books that children worked on throughout the school year, which were donated by the drugfighters and the Lions Club.

The ceremony was important not only as a culminating event, but also because of the special connection that the drugfighters share with Park Avenue School. At the beginning of the school year, the group announced that it had adopted Park Avenue School for the entire year. As part of this commitment, the group's volunteers have showered the school's 700 children with positive attention, regularly visiting the school to distribute hundreds of balloons, snacks and drug-free-themed coloring books, and teaching the kids about self-worth. According to organizer Margaret Miller-Scott, the school adoption is part of the drug-fighter's ongoing training program in Westbury schools "to educate the students that they have a mind and a brain, and it's up to them to be what they want to be." From December to June, 32 classes totaling 700 6 to 8-year-olds have been trained on the drug, gang, and crime-free message. According to Miller-Scott, all the work is paying off, as she sees that the children are responding to the message, and bringing it home to their parents. "The kids, when we come into the classroom, know exactly who we are and what we are doing," she said. "The most important thing is, they are taking it home to the parents."

Winners of the essay contest were: Chris Cox, 1st place, Dexton Galbourne, 2nd place, Wesley King, 3rd place. Winners of the poster contest were: Maleka Cesar, 1st place, Ryan Martinez, 2nd place, Amninder Jawandha, 3rd place.

In addition, all 64 student participants and their teachers received T-shirts that brought home the message of the drugfighters. The shirts read: "I have a mind, I have a brain. I do my school/homework. It's up to me to be what I want to choose to be - drug/gang, crime free. It's the way to be." This was made possible by donations from several local community members, including: Westbury A.M.E. Zion Church, Dan Berlin, CEO of Arkwin Industries, Salvation Army, Elaine Lewis, Jean Simmon, New Cassel Business Association, and Alice Heyes. The shirt was designed by Renee Spar.

Following the ceremony, all 64 students were also treated to a meal at Nathan's in Westbury, which the restaurant's owners provided at a discounted rate.

The TANC/W Drugfighters was formed in October, 1998 by a group of citizens who vowed to take a stand against the rise of drugs, gang and other crime that they saw threatening the New Cassel community and surrounding neighborhoods. In addition to conducting training in Westbury schools, the group conducts Friday night candlelit marches down Prospect Avenue, has a community watch program, and holds a summer activity program for local youth at Martin Reid Park. Members also show the group's vigilance by visiting local stores and churches wearing the drugfighter logo. Their efforts will continue, Miller-Scott emphasized, "to reinforce that it's we the people who have to do it, to take a stand for the young people in our community - so that they can grow up drug, gang, and crime free - to let them know that we are with them where ever they are."