Healthy, smart choices
<p>Kathy Krupp, a registered nursing student from North Idaho College, performs a visual dental inspection on Desiray Gonzales, 16, at the New Vision High School health fair held Wednesday in Post Falls.</p>
POST FALLS - Markus Martenka took a look at a dark, limp pig's lung that had been exposed to smoke and he had one thought.
"I need to quit smoking," he said.
Martenka was among the New Vision Alternative High School students who learned about a variety of dangers and services during a wellness fair at their school on Wednesday.
One of the hardest lessons for students to swallow was how energy drinks can be a downer on their body.
"I know of one kid who has lost 20 pounds (from drinking a lot)," said Cindy Linna, school nurse. "It can cause chronic stomach pain. Students just don't see the dangers in it."
Student Alyssa Sabens found school-resource officer Neil Uhrig's presentation on drugs and alcohol interesting.
He showed examples of the chemically-laced incense Spice, which was recently made illegal in Idaho.
"I know a lot of kids who smoke it, but I'll tell them not to do it because it can cause a heart attack or seizures," Sabens said.
Uhrig told students that the drug can be particularly dangerous because you don't know what was used to manufacture it.
Student Matt Anastacio said he thought the booth on sexually-transmitted diseases was an eye-opener.
"It makes good sense to be safe," he said. "Why mess up your life?"
Linna said the fair was geared specifically toward teens in their own school environment and the choices and trials they face every day.
"It's all about them today," Linna said.