To the Editor:
As Principal of the Junior/Senior High School in New Lebanon I am thrilled to know that there is a local community initiative aimed at preventing substance abuse in our township. I learned of the group after speaking with Matt Larabee at our annual soccer tournament this fall. Immediately, we sought to connect TRACS with our existing Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) coordinator, Lenny Brown. Additionally, I contacted Biffy Cahill in January with the goal of establishing a relationship between the school and TRACS.
The school’s ongoing efforts toward our common mission of preventing substance abuse include the posting of TRACS monthly meetings on Mr. Brown’s school e-board. I was pleased to learn that one of our students took the initiative to attend last month’s meeting as a result of this effort. New Lebanon Junior/Senior High School addresses the threats posed by substance abuse in many areas, which include:
• having our health classes target the dangers associated with substance use;
• participation in Red Ribbon week (alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention awareness);
• participating in Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness week;
• providing character education programming that supports leading a healthy life;
• re-establishing and maintaining an active SADD program (going on 3 years);
• seven years of inviting the Columbia County Sheriff’s K-9 unit into our building (multiple times per year), and
• utilizing the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office for presentations, including drug identification for faculty and staff.
I am proud of our young adults and believe in their ability to make sound choices. We will continue our programming initiatives and will work in partnership with the New Lebanon community to address any issues should they arise.
Matthew R. Klafehn, NLCS Principal