Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           publicinfo@selu.edu
                                           SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
    Date: 7/10/00
      Contact:                           Christina Chapple   132

SLU SPONSORS SUBSTANCE ABUSE 'TEEN INSTITUTE' 
     HAMMOND   More than 100 high school students from Tangipahoa, Livingston, St.
Helena, and St. Tammany Parishes will gather at Southeastern Louisiana University, July 25-28,
for "Teen Institute," a program designed to help them become year-round leaders in living and
promoting an alcohol, drug and tobacco free lifestyle.
     The national program, first offered at Southeastern last summer, is co-sponsored by the
university's Division of Student Affairs and the state Department of Health and Hospitals' Office
for Addictive Disorders.
     Teen Institute high school teams, accompanied by a teacher-team leader, will spend four
days and three nights at Southeastern to plan prevention campaigns for the 2000-2001 school
year. In addition to classroom instruction on resisting alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, students
also will participate in fun activities incorporating swing dance, visual art, positive rap, chorus
and drama.
     The goal of Teen Institute is to teach high school students "ways to stand up to peer
pressure and feel good about themselves in the process," said Jenny Hollander, a member of the
university's Drug and Alcohol Committee. "The program empowers participants to make 
positive changes in individuals, families, and communities," she said.
     Southeastern's Drug and Alcohol Committee provides monthly educational programs for 
Southeastern students to raise awareness and promote responsible decision making regarding
drugs and alcohols. The programs feature catchy themes -- such as the Valentine's Day's  "KISS:
Keep it Sober, Sweetie" -- and prizes for students who can correctly answer drug and alcohol
questions
.    For additional information about Teen Institute, call Hollander at 504-549-3773.     
                             -SLU-
Press release available online at www.selu.edu./NewsEvents/PublicInfoOffice/newsp00.htm