Drug and alcohol prevention is something we have pushed to the forefront here in Wolfe County. Our high school students are using drugs and alcohol at an alarming rate. Vaping has increased with major negative effects. During school this year Wolfe County High School has had numerous scary situations where students have overdosed or required serious medical aid due to a vape containing other substances. Thankfully, they were all able to be saved and have been able to receive help. When prom was being planned, the need for drug, vape and alcohol prevention was at the top of the Wolfe County 4-H and Wolfe County Youth Service Centers priority list. Together we collaborated to host a week of activities to promote being drug, alcohol and vape free at and after the prom as well as daily. 

We began our week with Truth and Consequences with our junior and senior students. Each student entered the gym, accompanied by a volunteer parent to read a scenario and visit the booths of those individuals in the community that they would come into contact with if this particular scenario actually occurred to them. Numerous community members volunteered in their respective roles to discuss real life experiences that they would do to those individuals if this were more than a simulation. Students were surveyed before and after. Students indicated that their eyes had been opened to dangers that they didn't know were present. The legal ramifications were clearly explained and students had a different thought of the consequences of their potential actions. 

The next activity was the Mock Crash. Our drama class at Wolfe County High School were assigned roles for a mock crash to a scene of an after prom auto vehicle accident. Students dressed in prom gear with make up to make the event as realistic as possible. Our local business and judge executive donated two wrecked vehicles for use. Over the intercom our mock crash team had recorded the sounds of what was occurring before the wreck, screams and the sounds of the wreck followed. The entire school was  then lead to the track where the scene unfolded. The goal is for students to see what really occurs in this situation. In our small community we are able to make a real 9-1-1 call, where all emergency personnel are dispatched. The life flight helicopter lands as well as the coroner. Our emergency responders react as those this is a real event. At our mock crash students are killed, arrested, taken away in an ambulance and a fake body is flown out. "Parent" actors arrive on scene to show the effects this has on families. At the conclusion of the program the High School principal discussed that this scenario could easily occur on Prom night or any other night that you choose to drink, do drugs and vape and then drive a vehicle. Students were moved and we heard comments that they never wanted to be apart of an accident like that. 

We conducted a service the following day we called Ghost Out, the Funeral Service. This is patterned similar to a program that Kentucky State Police used to do. 7 students at Wolfe County High School were removed from their classes for the day. In the seat where they should sit, a rose was placed. While those students were pulled out they spent the day writing the newspaper article of how they died and writing their obituary. Each student died in a unique way due to a drug, alcohol or vaping incident.  That afternoon, we had two students stand at a podium on each side of a real casket. The lights were lowered and candles were lit for each of the 7 students who died. The entire school entered as though they were attending a funeral in a solemn quiet manner. Once students were seated our 7 ghost students entered the gym with two ushers. They were each led to a candle where they sat down behind it. One by one their news article was read. Immediately following their obituary was read and the student layed back and was covered in a plain white sheet by the ushers. Their candle was blown out and a rose was placed on top of them. Once all students obituaries had been read, our funeral director presented to a silent gym that while these scenarios had not occurred today that they were real life and extremely possible consequences of drinking, doing drugs and vaping on prom night or any other night. 

Lastly, as an effort to ensure a safe prom night, we helped secure an ASAP mini grant as well as the Youth Service Center to provide funding for After Prom trip to the movies and bowling. This was a free event for all students who wanted to attend. 60 kids of 100 that attended prom chose to attend the after prom event. This was the largest number that has went in the last decade. 

We are happy to report that after prom this year we were fortunate that no students were injured or had any consequences as a result of an accident related to drugs, alcohol or vaping. We are encouraged after reading the survey results that these programs will have a lasting effect on the students.