Ohio youth leaders advocate for drug prevention at national conference

CRAWFORD/MARION COUNTY, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—Leadership is about making others better as a result of their interaction with you. Last week, youth from Marion and Crawford counties exemplified this principle at the annual CADCA conference in Washington, D.C., from January 28 to February 1, 2024.

Representing the Youth Board for Teen Institute, the youth leadership arm of the Drug Free Marion Coalition, these young leaders joined adults from Ohio Health, Third Street Family Health Services, Marion City Police Department, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Marion Crawford Prevention Programs (MCPP), and community volunteers. Their mission: to learn how to expand their outreach and increase awareness about the prevention of drug use and abuse.

In 2020, the Crawford Marion ADAMH Board received a Drug Free Communities grant, which funds Drug Free Marion programs and projects. One local goal has been to increase the coalition’s reach through connections with community groups, schools, churches, and other non-profit organizations. While drug abuse is a complex issue affecting every municipality in America, the coalition believes that all sectors of a community coming together can do more than one individual or agency alone.

On the third day of the conference, attendees met with Ohio legislators to share information about their work and the impact of drug abuse in their communities. The most impactful aspect of this interaction was that the message was delivered by young people.

Kennedy Canterbury, a senior at Pleasant High School, facilitated the presentation. Liam Curtis, another Pleasant senior, shared information about the youth-led prevention efforts he and his peers provide in both counties. Elyssa Roberts (Wynford High School) and Wyatt Estep (Galion High School) rounded out the presentation with facts about their education efforts for younger youth in their communities.

Jodi Galloway, Director of Marion Crawford Prevention Programs, notes, “Intervention and treatment play a critical role in stemming the tide of addiction. It is important to recognize that prevention programs play a significant role in reducing drug use, creating awareness about mental health problems, and providing connections for young people.”

Liam Curtis told legislators, “I got involved in Teen Institute in the 8th grade. I learned more each year about prevention and how to work with other students to help them understand the dangers of use and risk factors for addiction. I believe in the power of youth-led prevention because I have seen it work.”

Kennedy Canterbury added, “We have learned a lot through TI and this week we had the chance to learn more about the potential harm of marijuana and vaping. We hope to take this back to educate other youth.”

Christi Eckert, Coordinator of the Drug Free Marion Coalition, underscores the importance of these efforts. She notes that the goal of the Drug Free Marion Coalition is to harness the power of a community coming together with the same goal of reducing drug abuse and increasing awareness about prevention and the participation from others is needed to help further the work of the coalition. People can join meetings in person or through zoom. She would be happy to entertain questions and encourages those interested to reach out by emailing her at Christi.e@mcpreventionprograms.com or by calling 740-914-6444.