Truth & Consequences

There is a strong need for continued substance abuse prevention and intervention in Marion County. The number of diverted prescriptions and illegal drugs, overdoses, thefts, arrests, court cases, and medical/financial consequences of drug abuse continue to negatively impact a large number of families in the community. To address the variety of substance abuse issues impacting our community, the Marion 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 getting involved with illicit and legal substances. Based upon the format of the 4-H Reality Store, students role-played scenarios including possession of prescription drugs, driving under the influence, sniffing, 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 a wide variety of community partners including: the local Judge, Coroner, Lawyer, Jail personnel, Youth Minister, school officials, local police department, pharmacist, EMS, nurses and hospital staff, health department and extension agents. Local community members served as “parents” to the youth and accompanied them as they visited the various agencies. 150 students participated in Truth & Consequences: The Choice is Yours to learn more about the physical, legal, financial, and emotional consequences of substance abuse. Many Marion County community partners and adult volunteers participated in the event as well. Evaluation results revealed the following: Youth indicated strong usage and acceptance of alcohol; 30% of youth identified slight or no risk of marijuana usage; 25% indicated slight or no risk of usage when taking prescription medicine without a doctor’s prescription or taking over the counter medicines to get high; and 5% of youth have sniffed/huffed during their lifetime. A continued need for parent education and support is evidenced by the fact that 40% had not talked to parents/caregivers about the dangers of substance abuse during the past 12 months.