DECATUR - Braxton Bailey, a 12-year-old sixth-grader, has been taught by his family to avoid using illegal drugs.

So when a classmate invited him to her house and offered him a marijuana cigarette a few months ago, Braxton turned her down.

"Marijuana can get you killed," Braxton said he told her. "I'm just not down with that."

Of course, there are many young people who respond to invitations to use marijuana by taking the joints and inhaling.

That is why Heritage Behavioral Health Center sponsored an event to educate parents and community members of the dangers of marijuana.

The event, titled "Let's Talk Marijuana: The 'Not-So-Harmless' Drug," was held Saturday at the Old King's Orchard Community Center. There were speeches, a skit, a free lunch and games with prizes.

Vivian Goodman, prevention team leader for Heritage, said many parents do not know how harmful marijuana is. In a recent survey Heritage conducted on the city's north side, parents who responded said marijuana was the most popular drug used by their children.

Goodman said marijuana is more potent than the kind smoked a generation ago, and sometimes it is also laced with other drugs.

"That makes it very dangerous," she said. "It really affects the growing bodies of the young people. It affects their learning ability and academic achievement. It's been associated with violence and risky behavior."

While parental involvement is the key to keeping children from using drugs, Goodman said there are some parents who regard marijuana as something that is acceptable. However, marijuana is considered a gateway drug, which often leads to the use of other, more harmful drugs such as cocaine and heroin.

Shaniki Bates, a Heritage prevention specialist, presents programs on drug prevention in area high and junior high schools.

While she avoided using marijuana as a youth, her experiences with close relatives who have used the drug opened her eyes to its effects.

One relative, a 27-year-old man, is unable to hold down a job in his field, although he earned a college degree. He cannot pass a drug test because of his addiction to smoking marijuana.

"He does not see it as a drug affecting his life," Bates said. "That is a clear sign of addiction. He still feels he can stop at any time."

Bates, who moved to Illinois from Texas because her husband is an Army recruiter, said he tells her that many people who want to pursue a military career cannot do so because they test positive for THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.

"Any time you can't pursue a career choice, that's a problem," Bates said.

Decatur Mayor Paul Osborne told those who attended the event that the major companies are testing potential employees for drugs, including marijuana.

"It can cost you a job, cost you your future," Osborne said.

Shaquille Bailey, 14, older brother of Braxton, said he knows young people who smoke marijuana, but he is so strongly against it, they won't light up near him.

"I know smoking weed is bad," Shaquille said. "I'm not going to let anyone influence me to do the wrong thing."

Huey Freeman can be reached at hfreeman@herald-review.com or 421-6985.