Daily Journal, September 19, 2016
Jacob TellersMost drug prevention programs focus on the consequences of drug abuse: addiction, health problems, jail time.
Local police and educators want to tell another side of the story by connecting students with positive peer role models and showing examples of people who have made the right choices.
Empower Johnson County, a coalition formed by local leaders, was awarded a five-year, $625,000 Drug-Free Communities grant from the Office of National Drug Control Policy. The organization was one of three in Indiana to get the award. Nearly $86 million in grants were given out nationwide to fund drug abuse prevention and treatment programs.
“Our youth hear about kids who get into trouble for drugs, but how often do they hear about kids doing the right things?” Empower Johnson County Director Michelle McMahon said.