   |
 |
"Operation Detour" Speaks To Monahans Youth
"Operation Detour" Speaks To Monahans Youth 10/17/12
Robert Guaderrama
rguaderrama@cbs7.com
October 17, 2012
MONAHANS, TEXAS - Law enforcement say Mexican drug cartels are recruiting younger west Texans to carry out their drug trafficking efforts. U.S. Border Patrol agents made a stop in Monahans to speak with high school students in an effort to combat this frightening problem.
600 Monahans High School students, sitting in the auditorium and listening attentively, but this wasn't your typical assembly for today's presentation asked students a serious question.
"What do you wanna do with your life, do you wanna go down the broken road or take the detour around the mess," said Jacob Larr, Sophomore, Monahans High School.
It was all part of the United States Border Patrol's "Operation Detour" making youth aware of the dangers lurking around the next turn.
"A lot the things happening down on the border are moving up through these areas and they are targets in this drug business and we try to give them all the information to make the right choices," said Rush Carter, Border Patrol Community Liaison.
"The knowledge alone just knowing how to say no or knowing how to get out of bad situations," said Principal Jeff Jones, Monahans High School.
Principal Jeff Jones says he hopes students learn how to reach out for help.
"To feel comfortable approaching a parent, teacher or police about a situation that may come up," said Jones.
And students tell us though the presentation was powerful, it was an eye opener.
"Doing drugs is not the way of life, you will get caught, police will come after you, they will find you, be successful, make the right choices," said Larr.
"We want to make everyone aware, especially the kids, so they don't ruin their lives," said Carter.