There is a strong need for continued substance abuse prevention and intervention in Ohio County. 

The number of diverted prescriptions and illegal drugs, overdoses, thefts, arrests, court cases, and medical/financial consequences of drug abuse continue to impact a large number of families in the community negatively. To address the variety of substance abuse issues impacting our community, the Ohio County Cooperative Extension Service partnered with other local agencies to organize Truth or Consequences. Truth or Consequences is an enrichment activity designed to show students the impact of engaging with illicit and legal substances. Eight-grade students at Ohio County Middle School role-played scenarios including possession of prescription drugs, driving under the influence, possession of alcohol, drug paraphernalia, or illegal drugs, trafficking, stealing drugs, etc. Depending on the scenario, students visited appropriate officials and/or agencies to experience the consequences of their behavior. This year’s event was possible with various community partners, including Ohio County Sheriff, Jailer, Health Department, Coroner, School Resource Officer, County Attorney, and   River Valley Behavioral Health. 

Two hundred seventy students participated in Truth & Consequences:  The Choice is Yours to learn more about the physical, legal, financial, and emotional consequences of substance abuse. Fifty community partners and adult volunteers participated in the event as well. Evaluation results revealed the following: 225 community partners, students, and adult volunteers strongly agreed that substance abuse by youth is a problem in the community; 263 indicated that it is easy for youth to get drugs in the community; and 201 agreed or strongly agreed that one reason why alcohol and drug use occurs in our community is that there are not enough activities for youth.