After studying statistics and problems in the area, it was evident that less and less resources and attention addressed the ages of 10 - 17. The crime statistics for this age group in Louisiana shows an increase of 107 percent from 1985 to 1993 and things have not gotten better. One of our members lives in the Glen Oaks area and reported to us that the unemployment rate in area was high, income level was low, drug use was prevalent, and only 50 students out of over 1,100 students were on the honor role at Glen Oaks- Middle School. It was the general consensus of the group that we could develop a program to empower the youth in developing leadership skills and self efficacy among students attending middle school, primarily ages 11- 12. Program activities involve role playing, work sheets, exercises and interactive dialogue designed to talk through issues and to understand the consequences of choices.
Students are to be recruited through the school guidance office and the school health clinic.
The emphasis will be on recruiting students who are not traditionally considered leaders. By Steve Weintraub Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan, Jr. died last month at the age of 91. One issue on which Justice Brennan was unable to prevail was his belief that the death penalty is unconstitutional in all circumstances. The most vile murder does not, in my view, release the state from constitutional restraints on the destruction of human dignity. Yet an executed person has lost the very right to have rights, now or ever.