BR students take stand against drugs, violence

• By CHANTE DIONNE WARREN
• Advocate staff writer
• Published: Dec 4, 2008 - Page: 1B - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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When Kiarra Yates’ older brother was killed last year during a drug deal, she started talking to misdirected youngsters about making better decisions.

“I miss talking to my brother and hugging him,” Yates said. “We had our fusses, but we used to have fun.”

Yates, 17, shared her family’s tragedy Wednesday at the parish school system’s Instructional Resource Center on Foster Drive, where about 80 local high-school students participated in a parish youth summit titled Educated Young People Against Drugs and Violence.

Yates, a student at East Baton Rouge Acceleration Academy, said she wants to help prevent other senseless deaths.

Her deceased brother, Montrell Yates, had recently “gotten out of jail and he was doing good, and he wanted to work. But he got caught up in the moment, and he did something stupid,” she said. “He was hanging with the wrong people.”

Montrell Yates, 20, and Dennis Brown, 20, were both fatally shot Sept. 1, 2007, at a Plank Road parking lot during a drug deal, police had reported.

Kiarra Yates said she warns others to “stop doing things that are not right, like playing with guns.”

“If my brother could have been here today at this summit, I think it could have helped him.”

Student leaders from public high schools in Baton Rouge sat in discussion groups with I Care facilitators to offer potential solutions to drugs, violence and other problems among their peers.

Speakers at the daylong summit — including state and city police, Mayor Kip Holden and others — also offered their ideas.

City police Cpl. Riley Harbor told students to think about the people they love. “When you choose drugs and violence, you affect the person you say you love the most,” he said.

Some students said violence and drug use are becoming more acceptable. “People are more relaxed about it because it’s common,” said Northdale Magnet Academy student Caleb Neal, 18.

Raven Morris, 18, also a Northdale student, said caring teachers and communication between students and parents can help curb the problems.