The Carter County Family and Consumer Sciences Advisory Council, the Drug Free Coalition, and School Administrators have all identified a strong need for continued substance use prevention in Carter County.  The number of diverted prescriptions and illegal drugs, overdoses, thefts, arrests, court cases, and medical/financial consequences of drug use continue to negatively impact many families in our community.

To assist in educating youth about the dangers of all types of substance abuse, the Carter county Extension Service Family and Consumer Sciences Agent partnered with the Carter County Schools Youth Service Center and the Carter County Drug Free Coalition to offer Truth and Consequences: The Choice is Yours event .  Truth and Consequences is a substance use enrichment activity designed to show students the legal, emotional, physical, and financial consequences of use and misuse of both legal and illegal substances.  The program included the following four breakout sessions: role play where students and volunteers acted out scenarios and faced the consequences; education on the dangers of underaged drinking; guest speakers who are current inmates from a correctional institution; and debriefing. All 9^th grade students at both high schools in Carter County have participated for the last eight years, with a total 2,800 students.

In 2018, 366 students, volunteers, parents, and community partners participated.  Formal follow-u evaluations were used to measure the impact. One hundred percent of the community partners reported that this event provided them and their organization with new information and resources.  Student evaluation results revealed the following: 96% developed a better understanding of the legal and health consequences of substance abuse; 95% developed a better understanding of the emotional   consequences and harm and risk of substance abuse; 93% developed a better understanding of the financial consequences of substance abuse and would be able to access help in the community. Long term results will continue to be evaluated.

Some of the students provided the following comments about the program:

“It was a great experience getting to go through this.  Some of the scenarios really stood out and I won’t forget them.  It taught me a lot.”

“I loved getting to listen to the stories of the past drug users who are in prison.  It really taught me a lot about he dangers of getting involved with drugs.”

“ I liked that we had an opportunity to take about drugs and alcohol with our parents.  I think that’s really important that we are able to discuss these things with them.”

"It was a real eye opener! We even had the opportunity to listen to some prisoners stories and I was truly amazed and it really spoke to me!  I'm so thankful I got tot see the consequences of drugs and alcohol."

A first time volunteer shared her experience:

"It was very enlightening as well as disturbing to hear some of the comments made by these children as to what they have dealt with in their young lives already.  The drug problem in Carter County has taken so many precious lives.  As I watched these young people I couldn't help but wonder how many would reach adulthood and how many will end up being another statistic.  I want to thank everyone responsible for providing the opportunity and letting them know there are people who care about them and are willing to listen to them."