submitted by Erin Clary, Communications Specialist Berlin Central School District
As news headlines reporting prescription drug and heroin overdoses increase, Berlin High School students in TRACs (Together Reducing Alcohol and Drugs in our Communities) have taken it upon themselves to educate and inform students in Berlin Middle School on the harmful effects these drugs can have.
On Wednesday, May 28, Berlin Middle School students filled the auditorium to hear an important message from their older high school classmates. The presentation titled, “The pHarming Effects,” included performances and video testimony to education students on how prescription drugs affect the user and the people around them. Students even participated in a mock game show called “The Gauntlet Rx” to test their knowledge on the subject.
The teens discussed the addiction process and how the drug abuser has to take more and more to get the high feeling. They showed videos of recovering addicts whose lives have been turned upside down due to addiction and discussed advertising tactics drug companies use to suggest the need for their pharmaceuticals.
According to Biffy Cahill, TRACs President and adult facilitator of the youth program for Berlin and New Lebanon students, the students took this endeavor on themselves.
“Kids listen to their peers much better than an adult lecturing them – this is positive peer pressure!” said Cahill.
Students in the TRACs program plan to attend the Youth to Youth International conference this July at the University of Rhode Island. Here they’ll gain additional resources, support and, most importantly, the confidence to continue to share their message.
“The conference really makes you notice that you’re not the only one that doesn’t do drugs, in fact most people don’t,” said Berlin CS sophomore Juliena D’Alessio.
TRACs meets once a month and is open to all. “Everyone is welcome, even if you’ve ever been on the wrong path,” said Cahill.
