The Trimble County Cooperative Extension Service implemented Truth & Consequences: The Choice is Yours, a scenario based role-play activity designed to help students learn more about the physical, legal, financial, and emotional consequences of substance abuse, 228 Jr/Senior school students. This program was held in cooperation with the Trimble County School District and the Trimble CARES Drug Free Coalition.  Sixty four community partners and adult volunteers participated in the event to make it a success. Student evaluation results revealed the following: 45% of freshman indicated that it was slightly or not wrong at all for someone their age to participate in one or two drinks of an alcoholic beverage; 67% also indicated that there was slight or no risk in people harming themselves physically or in other ways if they participate in one or two drinks of an alcoholic beverage; and 49% indicated slight or no risk in harm associated with marijuana use, 85% of the students gained knowledge on the risks of using prescription drugs as an illegal substance.

 Students also shared the following evaluation comments:

“One decision can mess up on life forever. Drugs are bad for society.”

“If you do drugs, you could do some jail time and ruin your future.”

“Addiction is hard for people for fight and that doing drugs even one time can lead to addition.”

“A person could die and doing drugs would have a negative effect on you and everyone around you.”

“That just a little of something can lead to something bigger, and just because you do a little it still can be addicting.”

“Once you start doing drugs it can be hard to stop. Even if you don’t do drugs in the car, you’re still guilty if someone else is.”

“I discovered that you shouldn’t be afraid to say no to drugs.”

The student evaluation also showed an increase in the number of students who realized that a poor choice could not only affect them personally, but their whole family both mentally and financially. The event continues to make an impact on students each year by providing them with a first-hand look at the realities and consequences of getting involved with substance abuse.