TV & VIDEO - April 23, 1987

The people who put “Sesame Street” on the map joined with the Jets to debut an upbeat music video urging 8- to 12-year-olds to stay away from alcohol and other drugs. The popular teen-age recording group had about 100 youngsters clapping and singing along to “Be Smart! Don’t Start!” in the Great Hall of the Health and Human Services building in Washington on Wednesday. The video, part of a $1.2-million federal government program aimed at preteens, is to be aired in public-service spots by CBS during prime time and on Saturday mornings. It was produced by the Children’s Television Workshop, creators of “Sesame Street.”