06/18/2008 - PAINTSVILLE --- "Super," "awesome," "fantastic" and "exciting" were just a few words some students used to describe the 10th Annual Safe Night held Saturday at the Paintsville swimming pool and sponsored by the DATA group.
But two teenage friends perhaps said it best.
"Safe Night Rocks!" Jason Dalton said. "There's nothing any better in Paintsville."
"It's the best thing to keep kids off drugs," Ryan "Pinky" Pennington added.
Safe Night targets students' in grades six thru nine and gives positive alternatives to send a clear message that they can have fun without drugs or alcohol.
Before dropping their children off, parents were provided with pamphlets noting the damaging effects of alcohol, drugs, and tobacco on the body and the community.
At the event, about 300 students from around the region participated in a wide array of games and activities, including swimming, dancing, and hula-hoop contests.
The winners chose from televisions, bicycles, CD players, CDs, fishing poles, basketballs, sleeping bags, and various other prizes.
"It's not often we get this many kids together for the same purpose — to stay away from tobacco, drugs, and alcohol," Paintsville Mayor Bob Porter said. "You can see how excited they (the kids) are about it. They remember about this event all year long. It is well attended every year…It's the only one of its kind."
One of the founders of DATA (Drug, Alcohol, Tobacco Awareness group), Fred Nelson, said Safe Night began as a national event, but has since dwindled away.
"Safe Night has been so successful here in Paintsville," Nelson said. "We're the only ones still left doing them."
The DATA group, a non-profit volunteer-based organization, was organized in 1998 and works to reduce drug, alcohol, and criminal activity in Johnson, Martin, and Lawrence counties.
The group was co-founded by Nelson and Commonwealth's Attorney Anna Melvin. Other members are Leann Wheeler, Rev. Larry Blair and his wife Karen, and Sara Blair.
"Others contribute their time to the organization," Nelson noted.
When asked why the group was organized, Melvin said, "Because we saw a need to make parents and children aware of the negative effects of drugs and the increasing significance of it in our community…I think all parents want good things for their kids. This (Safe Night) is a good thing. Kids must follow the rules. There are no weapons, no arguments, no drugs or alcohol, It's all safe…I am so thankful that we have enough volunteers to make this happen."
Melvin said the DATA group and Safe Night were formed because of a community effort.
When asked if she sees children at the event win prizes that they otherwise wouldn't have if not for Safe Night, Melvin said "even though we live in a society when even the poor have everything, I enjoy making children happy with what little bit we do."
Paintsville Police Chief Bill Holbrook, who was on hand with members of the Johnson County Sheriff's Office to allow children to walk a line wearing "drunk goggles," said "the uniting of law enforcement agencies, the city, Melvin, and community leaders provides more resources for the area."
"It's great that everyone comes together for this event, and its obvious the kids enjoy it."
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