With the efforts of the Casey County School System, the Casey County Agency for Substance Abuse Policy (ASAP), and the Casey Youth Coalitions, all Casey County school grounds are tobacco free. The Casey County High School Resource Officer reported that there are hardly any infractions of smoking on campus or in the bathrooms. However, Juuling/vaping/e-cigarettes have become an increasing concern with our students in high school and middle school. The device is difficult to detect as it can easily be passed as a flash/jump drive. The smoke/vapor is also almost undetectable as there are fruity flavors that mask the smell. Some high school students have even commented that vaping/Juuling is being done in the classroom. Several Juuls have been confiscated and continue to be confiscated at the Casey County High School. Through efforts with the Casey County ASAP Board, the Casey Youth Coalition and Jr. Casey Youth Coalition, awareness and education are being provided to both parents/guardians and youth about the harmful effects of Juuling. Juuling along with the many other issues/risks that our students face as they get older are addressed with our 9th grade students in the Truth & Consequences: The Choice is Yours program. 

Truth and Consequences: The Choice is Yours is a scenario-based program where students are given the opportunity to understand the consequences that can occur when making unhealthy, destructive decisions. The students are randomly assigned a scenario, as well as volunteer parent. Each group of students (2 or 3 students) is instructed to explain the scenario to their “parent” and are to have a dialogue with them as if the scenario were actually happening. The students and “parent” must then visit community partners that they would in real life. During the program, the students take part in discussions focusing on Suicide Prevention, Juuling/Vaping, and a Discussion Group discussing the concerns of the students. They also listen to gentlemen in recovery from The Healing Place in Campbellsville and listen to a gentlemen speak about how he overcame his addiction to marijuana. A pre- and post-test is administered to the students to measure their level knowledge prior to and after participating in the program. 

The Casey County Cooperative Extension Service collaborates with community partners to present this program to students in the 9th grade students at Casey County High School. To increase students’ attention and participation in the Truth & Consequences Program, the program was held at the Casey County Judicial Center. Community partners and community volunteers play a very large role in the success of the program. In attendance were: Casey County ASAP Board Members, Casey County Community Education, Youth Services, 21st Century Learning Center, County Law Enforcement, Court Designated Worker, Casey County High School Personnel and Gear-Up Students, Casey County Health Department, Casey County Hospital, Dunnville Christian Church pastors, Adanta Regional Prevention Center, gentlemen in recovery from The Healing Place, and a gentlemen who spoke about his road to recovery from marijuana addiction. Overall we reached over 170 students and had over 40 volunteer “parents”, community partners, and teachers participate. The test results are listed below.

Pre-Test: 121 Students completed

1.    Using prescription drugs can be as dangerous as using illegal drugs. TRUE – 76.9%

2.    Marijuana use accounts for one-third of all driving under the influence (DUI) arrests. 

TRUE – 72% 

3.    Juul’s and e-cigarettes contain nicotine, even if the label claims it is nicotine free. 

TRUE – 70.3%

* 27 Students answer all questions correctly    (22.3%)

Post-Test: 142 Students completed

1.    Using prescription drugs can be as dangerous as using illegal drugs. TRUE – 85.2%     +10.8%

2.    Marijuana use accounts for one-third of all driving under the influence (DUI) arrests. 

TRUE – 76.0%      +5.6% 

3.    Juul’s and e-cigarettes contain nicotine, even if the label claims it is nicotine free. 

TRUE – 74.6%      +6.1%

*35 Students answer all questions correctly       (24.6.0% +10.3%)

Several of the Gear-Up students who were assigned to the groups had participated in the Truth & Consequences Program when they were in 9th grade. A couple of them shared their experiences: 

One young lady spoke to the director of The Healing Place recalling her participation in the program. She shared that she was actually high the day of the program and remembered being called on by the men in recovering for giggling. She stated that she is currently clean and has been for 6 months and is finishing up her hours for cosmetology. 

One young gentlemen spoke up in his group during the Suicide Prevention discussion. The 9th grade students were being unruly and not listening. The gentlemen told the group that it was an important topic and they all needed to listen. He stated this is something he has struggled with and most people wouldn’t think so since he was a football player.