Drug abuse is a nationwide issue. Research indicates approximately 12 million people abuse prescription painkillers, and every 19 minutes, a person in the U.S. dies from that addiction.
To help combat the problem locally, the Manatee County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition recently launched Freshman Focus 2020 – a health summit for all 9th graders.
- Manatee Co. program aims at keeping teens drug, alcohol, nicotine free
- Program is similar to one that found success in Sarasota County schools
- Students who take the pledge will receive several benefits, including discounts at local businesses
“It’ll be difficult for some people because some people probably already tried it,” said Timora Dinks, a freshmen at Bayshore High, “and a lot of people use it to relieve stress so they continue trying it and then it becomes a routine in their lives so it’s going to be hard to stop.”
According to Dinks, the temptation to try drugs isn’t as bad as many think, but the substances are always available for teens who are curious.
Freshman Focus 2020 is hailed as a program where students pledge to remain drug free and are rewarded for that choice with discounts at local businesses, internship preference, even hiring preference for jobs.
“In all my years of learning about drugs and alcohol I found it very gross,” added Dinks, “and very horrible about how it effects people.”
Other student-members of the coalition, including Torey Simons, agree.
“I’ve heard of it, and maybe even seen it, messing up people’s lives really bad and it’s just best to stay away from it so you can live a more productive, happy, healthy life,” stated Simons.
Officials say a similar program was successful in Sarasota County schools, with over 3,600 high schoolers taking the pledge to remain drug, alcohol and nicotine free.