The Community Bridges organization held a program on drug and alcohol abuse problems March 9 at Winslow High School.
Debe Cambell of the Navajo County Drug Project moderated the program and welcomed the audience. She later spoke regarding the use of alcohol and drugs by students at different age levels in the county, state and nation. The statistics she provided showed that drinking and most drug use in the county has declined in recent years, but increases as the students get older. She showed a video on the science of the teen brain, and noted that more information can be found on line at www.navajocountydrugproject.com.
WHS Principal Chris Gilmore welcomed the crowd and spoke briefly.
Winslow Police Officer Kristi Tausinga spoke, and showed a video on alcohol use and abuse.
Former addict and Winslow student Carol Dawn spoke about the trouble she had from alcohol and drug addiction, which had even landed her in prison. She said that one of the worst causes was peer pressure. She gave a brilliant testimony later that the concern shown by the arresting officer that led her to prison had never been forgotten, and was one of the reasons she came to care for herself and be able to just say “no” to drug and alcohol abuse.
Three other recovered alcoholic and drug abusers also spoke, and told why they had gotten those problems as students, all of the trouble they were caused, and how they managed to gain control of their lives.
Navajo County Medical Examiner Greg Cardita spoke about the fatalities he has investigated due to alcohol and drug problems. He said that a student should never drive drunk. The parents would much rather come get them than never see them alive again.
Gilmore announced that the high school has been awarded a four-year grant to address these programs, and that Police Officer Afton Foster is funded for 180 hours in the classrooms per year.
Community Bridges is planning similar meetings at many other high schools in Navajo County.
