April 25, 2012 — With drug abuse rampant in the area, giving kids a realistic picture of the dangers involved can be a powerful reality check.
“Truth and Consequences: The Choice is Yours” was held last Friday at East Carter High School for freshmen from both high schools.
Guest participants pulled no punches on the dangers of drug abuse.
Included were the county attorney, Kentucky State Police, city and county law enforcement officers, county coroner and others.
Students were given a scenario dealing with drug abuse-related behavior. Depending on the setting, students were escorted by a volunteer to tables where the community leaders provided information.
In plain language, the freshmen were told what to expect if they experiment with or become abusers of controlled substances.
Whitney Morrow, county extension agent, helped coordinate the event at East Carter High School.
Morrow said the experience provides students with an opportunity to see how drugs can negatively alter their hopes and dreams for the future.
“This program will hopefully be a great asset for the freshmen of Carter County,” Marrow said. “It really gives students a first-hand glimpse of how drug abuse can not only harm them, but it can also negatively impact friends, family, all the people who care about you. Most of all it provides an understanding of the stigma associated with the world of substance abuse and how it will impact their future.”
County Attorney Patrick Flannery filled students in on possible prosecution scenarios and said he hopes students take the program seriously and learn from the role playing.
“I am glad to see that we had a strong turnout of freshmen in the county today,” Flannery said. “You had some pretty intense consequences for these students to see.”
“Some had the opportunity to experience to be handcuffed, understand court procedures, and even what it would be like for their family members to talk with a funeral home director. Hopefully, it was an eye opening experience for our local youth.”
Grant Stevens can be reached at gstevens@journal-times.com or by telephone at 1-800-247-6142.
