~~Truth and ConsequencesClay County Kentucky has an ongoing problem with drugs, methamphetamine, oxycodone, and other various illegal and prescription drugs.  Seventeen years ago our county hosted a March on Drugs; on a rainy day in the Fall we had over 200 marched through town.  Though the drug problem has improved it is still bad.  Many of our arrests for DUI are drug related rather than alcohol related. There is a need for continued substance abuse prevention and intervention in Clay County.  You only have to read the weekly paper to understand the number of prescription and illegal drugs, overdoses, thefts, arrests, court cases and medical/financial consequences of drug abuse in our county. 

 All three agents in the Clay County Extension Office in cooperation with the Clay County Middle  School and fourteen local organizations and 23 volunteers hosted Truth and Consequences program, a scenario based role-playing activity designed to help students learn about the physical, legal, financial and emotional consequences of substance abuse for 250 Middle School students. The Middle School principal was very pleased with the even and has asked to come back next year.  The other organizations said they would be willing to participate again. Of the 138 student evaluations returned:

96% stated they developed a better understanding of the legal consequences of substance abuse 97% stated they now understood the health consequences of substance abuse 95% stated they understood the emotional consequences of substance abuse and can ruin your family 94% stated they understood the financial consequences of substance abuse  96% know where to go in the community to get help

Student comments: life can change quickly, choices have consequences and I’m going to make better choices, you can hurt your family or lose themThe event made an impact on students by providing them with a firsthand look at the realities and consequences of getting involved with substance abuse.