Kentucky has one of the highest rates of drug abuse in our country; we fall in one of the top ten states in several drug use categories (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2016). According to new KIP data, marijuana use among 10th graders is showing an upward trend. Therefore, there is a strong need for substance abuse prevention and intervention for our youth. 

The Fulton County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development and Family and Consumer Science partnered with the Youth Services Coordinators at Fulton Independent Schools and Fulton County High School to reach 80 freshman with the program. Truth & Consequences: The Choice is Yours, teaches teens about the physical, legal, financial, and emotional consequences of substance abuse. Over 20 community partners and adult volunteers also participated in and contributed to the success of the program. 

Each student was given a scenario involving drugs or alcohol. The scenario guides the students and prompts them to visit particular three to four booths depending on their scenario. A few examples of the booths includes; attorney, health care provider, school board, coroner, police, and department of juvenile justice. Some students were even hand cuffed and walked through the arrest process. The Truth and Consequences program gives a real life simulation of the consequences of drugs and alcohol. Students were debriefed with their counselors and also heard the personal testimony from men whose had life changing consequences because of drugs and alcohol. 

At the end of the program student’s had to write a summary of what they learned going through the Truth and Consequences event and any life take aways from the event. Many said they learned a lot and they enjoyed the program. One person said their scenario was a real life and would be changing their behavior to have a different outcome. Another person said, they do not want to go down the path of making bad decisions and have to go to jail. An evaluation from a community partner that had volunteered said they always enjoy the event every year and having the speakers there make it much more real life and the kids are able to connect better.