Mary Alice Reporting –
Youth 2 Youth students met with Tuscarawas County Commissioners to share what they are doing in their district to promote a drug and alcohol-free life.
Red Ribbon Week is celebrated from October 23rd to the 31st to offer a commitment in a lifestyle free of illegal drugs and not using legal drugs irresponsibly.
Commissioners approved a proclamation to support this week’s efforts as Tuscarawas County recorded 169 overdose deaths in 2017, noted the document read by Clerk Rhonda Jordan.
“And whereas it is imperative that visible, unified prevention education efforts by community members be launched to eliminate to the demand for alcohol and other drugs.”
All the commissioners commended the local Youth 2 Youth students for their work in promoting the week and encouraging their peers to be drug free.
Carson Norris, from Tuscarawas Central Catholic, said that Youth 2 Youth is building a community and changing the idea of drugs being “cool” or popular.
“I’m the captain of the football team, I’ve got three other captains from the football team, all four of us are part of this Youth 2 Youth club. We double our members from last year and it’s becoming more and more prevalent in our high school and we want to expand it to everywhere in Tuscarawas County at least, and then further that from there.”
Red Ribbon Week was created to raise awareness of living a substance-free life following the murder of DEA Special Agent Enrique Camarena in 1985, when he was investigating a multi-billion-dollar marijuana and cocaine pipeline.
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