Inter-Lakes High School brings awareness to opioid abuse

MEREDITH — Inter-Lakes High School had a Day of Awareness on May 26 to raise awareness of the misuse of opioids. In March, several students attended the statewide Youth Summit on Opioid Awareness. The students came back wanting to do something for their own school.

Inter-Lakes held a parent and community night on May 23 and a Day of Awareness within the school day. They shared the disturbing statistics that 478 people died last year from drug overdoses. There were only 47 in 1995. Most of the overdoses involve opioids which include heroin, fentanyl, and prescription medications: methadone,oxycodone (Oxycontin), hydrocodone (Vicodin). We shared with parents and community that this is a community issue. We need to all work together at home, school, and community to keep our kids safe. Parents are the #1 anti drug – kids are hearing you and do respect you. If you are clear that drug use and prescription misuse are not accepted in your home, your kids are much less likely to use them. Please dispose of all old medications through the national Take Back days through the police department at the end of September and April. The state hotline for help with drugs and alcohol 24/7 is 1-844-711-HELP (4357).

At a school assembly, they viewed the movie "If Only" that was part of the Youth Summit, showing some teens struggles with their opioid misuse. Statistically, 91 people die every 24 hours from opioid overdose, they had the entire sophomore class stand up to show this number. They had 26 people stand to show how many people die during a school day. These 26 people took a vow of silence for the day to symbolize the real folks who no longer have a voice.

They then had people stand who are friends with these 26 and those who know who these students are. It was the entire school. This is who would, at minimum, be affected if anything happened to these students.

They then discussed resiliency. The students were told that regardless of what has happened in our lives, we all have the power to bounce back and turn negative things into positive.

Some tips for resilience: get connected with people including family, friends, the community; sleep!; do as well as you can in school and get help if you need it; take care of yourself; eat healthy; set goals and take action every day to help you get to your goals. The only person who can change what is happening is you and it is OK to ask for help when you are struggling.