Billy Schneider's been there, done that - and now he's speaking straight to the heart of the issues that America's teens fear and wonder about. He's talking about drugs, abuse, addiction, sex, and AIDS. Billy's words are charged with the candor and passion of someone who has personal stories to tell about those critically important subjects. His life story will challenge your students and inspire them. His message is clear: there are consequences that come with bad choices. He recounts his own experience with abuse as a child growing up in New York City, his experimentation with drugs, his spiraling decline into heroin addiction and his imprisonment in a state penitentiary. Billy's words are urgent and powerful because today, Billy lives with AIDS and cancer, by-products of years of drug abuse. Like most people recovering from addiction, Billy has made this progress by having accepted responsibility for his actions and by facing a relationship with his Creator.
    This two-part video includes footage shot in five locations around the country, including a boys' prison, a Manhattan high school and a small school library where Billy responds to student questions. Billy Words will encourage your students to make responsible decisions.

In Episode One Schneider covers:
His childhood molestation and violent home life the root of later problems.
Effects of drug abuse in his life: alcohol, cigarettes, heroin, prison, son feared dead.
Lack of real answers to drug addiction leads to suicide plea.
Learns problem is an internal emptiness, what would fill the void?
Only stops drug use through discovery of personal faith.
Wrap: "'It won't happen to me? I'm cool.' Yeah well, I was cool too."

In Episode Two Schneider answers student questions:
How did you get Aids? Alcohol, impaired judgment, and AIDS dangers.
How has AIDS effected your life? Faith allows positive attitude.
How to keep kids off of drugs? Understand; teens die.
What is a friend? Responsibilities of friendship.
What was jail like? Relief from drug use. Also, identity, self hate, poor judgment.
What kept him alive? His faith has helped him see this self image.
Wrap: Story of student going for AIDS test and connection to intelligent choices.

Teachers tell us:
"Sobering, frank, straight-forward." - Principal/Teacher, California
"Powerful! Did more teaching in 30 minutes than I could do in a week of class!" - Health Teacher, Georgia
"Excellent video - when you can get the full attention of these at-risk students, you're watching a good video." - Alternative Ed Teacher, Pennsylvania
"Students were captivated. We are a small town and I wasn't sure they would relate to the 'theme.' They did."

Student reactions:
"Why can't we have a speaker like this?"
"I liked it because he talked about drugs like cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana and we don't put those in the same category as heroin, cocaine, LSD."