The booze-guzzling lobbyists on Capitol Hill had better watch out - CARE member junior Betsy McAllister is being sent to Washington, D.C., to discuss policies on alcohol and drug abuse with legislators and national leaders.
McAllister is part of a national leadership forum for high school students sponsored by the Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America.
Her threefold schedule includes training to prepare herself for discussions with policy makers, the actual conferences, and a congressional reception honoring legislators who have supported drug-free legislation.
"There's going to be a great deal of interaction with policy makers," said C.A.R.E. coordinator Deanne Thomas. "Betsy will receive training to become familiar with our agenda before the conference."
McAllister will meet with congressmen, including Montana's Sen. Max Baucus. National leaders invited to attend include drug czars and the President.
"We want President Clinton to support curbing teen drug use," said S.T.A.N.D. adviser Valeri McGarvey, who will travel with McAllister . "He's been strong on stopping tobacco, but not so much with drugs." "We hope this will counteract an earlier Beer Drinkers of America convention, where people ran around in Washington wearing pins that said 'Beer - America's Beverage,'" added McGarvey.
Said McAllister:
"We might even have a little time for sight-seeing."