Two Andrew Warde High School Students Participated in Kiwanis Club Luncheon Discussion About Drug Information Center 40 Years Ago Today

A discussion about the establishment of a drug information center by two Andrew Warde High School students and Mr. Charles Abraham, administrative assistant for instruction, took place at the Fairfield Kiwanis Club luncheon meeting in the Fairfield Motor Inn 40 years ago today, Wednesday, June 3, 1970.

The work done at Andrew Warde High School in launching a drive against the use of dangerous drugs and the plans for the drug information center, which was set up in a house on Sanford Street on a 13-week experimental basis, was explained by Mr. Abraham and the two Warde students, Jeannie Tatangelo and Judd Magilnick.

"The Talmud (Jewish book of law and wisdom) says that it takes 40 years to understand something," Magilnick told me by email today. "My memory of the luncheon is how gracious and friendly our adult hosts were."

Magilnick, who graduated from Yale University in 1974 and is married to Denise Kurtzman Magilnick, added, "I had expected something more like the evil-businessman type I'd seen in the James Bond films. I believe they served some kind of ground beef pie. It tasted good."

At the luncheon 40 years ago, it was emphasized that the aim of the program was not directed at eliminating the pusher, but drying up the demand. Magilnick and Tatangelo said the drive in the schools, including talks to junior high school students, has been focused against the use of heroin and LSD.

They stressed that they want to impress on students that it is not the "in thing" to use drugs, and that it is a social stigma to use drugs. They said they did not condone the use of marijuana or other drugs.

Tartangelo said students begin using drugs for several reasons. "A girl falls in love with a boy who is a user, and she becomes one, too," she said. "Some take drugs because they want to be friends with others who are addicted to the drug habit. Some take it to feel high, and others (use drugs) out of curiosity."

Magilnick had the opportunity to browse this Web site and wrote, "This is a great project you are doing here, particularly because it gives us a chance to honor great teachers and mentors like Coach Tetreau, and to think about simpler times. Thank you and congratulations."

Paul