Trending
By DREW PARKER
Staff Writer
Local high school students from across the Ohio Valley wrote, directed, acted and produced the third in a series of public service announcements regarding heroin use in the community.
Several John Marshall students gathered during school to share their thoughts on the drug’s impact in the valley with the help U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld’s office staff , as well as many other local sponsors Wednesday. Student members of the Drug Free Clubs of America from Ohio, Marshall, Brooke and Hancock counties worked to produce the public service announcements, including real-life scenarios and drug statistics.
A local media committee aided the students with the production process. The PSA is the second of four videos, with others to be released in the near future and tells the tale of a young heroin-addicted student who eventually loses his battle with addiction.
Senior Cassidy McCord, who acted in the short production, said her age group is a great target for the PSA.
“We want to show what can happen if you don’t say something when you see the signs,” McCord said. When you start drugs you’re going to start at an early age. If you stop it before it starts there won’t be a problem.”
Madison Truex, a senior drug ambassador for the John Marshall club, said the poor decisions of friends inspired her to be active.
“I saw former friends of mine going down bad paths with drugs,” Truex said. “This is my way of making a difference.”
Tara Tighe, public information officer for Ihlenfeld, said the new video focuses on the signs of opiate addiction.
“The message for the latest video is slightly different than the first, and definitely focuses on paying attention to the signs of drug addiction among friends and knowing you have the power to help,” Tighe said. “We want people to look for lack of interest in activities they used to be interested in and behavior that is abnormal for the person. Students can be our first line of defense and help us notice signs earlier.”
Drug Free Club adviser and John Marshall instructor Erin Parsons said the voices of youth are important tools.
Educating the community is important and sometimes sending a message from a younger audience is more impactful,” Parsons said. “We’re excited to have students so involved in the efforts.”
The PSA can be viewed on the U.S. attorney’s YouTube account. It can also be found through the Twitter hashtag #ThisIsHeroin.