SPEAKER DELIVERS HARD TALK ON DRUGS; DECISIONS SUBJECT OF CAMPUS SPEECH.

Byline: Angela Randazzo Daily News Staff Writer

At 6 feet 7 and weighing 363 pounds, Milton L. Creagh is a big man with a big message.

On Tuesday, 1,600 students at Newbury Park High School heard Creagh's message on drugs, alcohol and youth violence loud and clear.

``It's not about the decisions you make 15 years from now,'' Creagh told the students. ``It's about the decisions you make today that will affect the rest of your lives.''

Creagh is a nationally known motivational speaker who has lectured to community organizations, schools and parent groups throughout the country. He tries to help students understand the destructive nature of substance abuse and gang affiliation and how the decisions they make today will impact their lives.

``It made me think twice about getting into drugs,'' said one 17-year-old student after listening to Creagh.

Later, in the afternoon, Creagh talked to students at Sequoia Middle School, followed by an evening lecture for students and their parents at Newbury Park High School. The lecture program was sponsored by The Community Action Network of the Conejo Valley.

``Educating the students on drugs and alcohol is ongoing and a quality speaker like Milton Creagh can have an impact,'' said Max Beaman, Newbury Park High School principal.

Creagh lives in Atlanta, where he became a popular radio and television talk-show host. He co-wrote the docudrama ``Masquerade: Unveiling Our Deadly Dance With Drugs and Alcohol.''

Creagh established rapport with the students with his down-to-earth style. Then, with the zeal of a Baptist preacher, he told the students the hard facts about substance abuse and how it destroys lives.

``Our system of `Just Say No,' isn't enough,'' said Creagh. ``I want kids to understand that drugs and alcohol hits real people that they care about.''

At the end of the program, Creagh asked the students four questions related to drug use and told them to stand if the questions applied to someone they know. As each question was asked, more and more students stood up until over half of the 800 students at the first assembly were standing.

``All of them know people who a marriage destroyed, lost a job or got locked up because of drugs and alcohol,'' said Creagh. ``Students have to realize they may start substance abuse young and pay for it down the road.''

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos

PHOTO (1--Color) (Ran in Conejo Edition only) Milton Creagh discusses drug use among teens during his talk Tuesday.

(2--Color in Conejo Edition only) (Different photo ran in Simi Edition) All eyes focus on nationally known motivational speaker Milton Creagh as he discusses issues facing teens during a talk at Newbury Park High School.

Andy Holzman/Daily News