Change the Game in West Virginia

We’ve all seen the influence illicit medicine have had on our state and area. Households have been devastated as a result of overdose deaths. Lives have been endlessly altered by means of the gripping dependancy a few of these substances have, significantly on younger, creating minds.

This can be a drawback that wants tackled early, and several other organizations have come collectively to assist change the sport domestically in terms of medicine.

With the monetary help of Panhandle Cleansing & Restoration, and the work of Shadyside native Joe Boczek, govt director of the GameChanger program, college students at Wheeling Park Excessive Faculty quickly will work to make in distinction in terms of educating one another and likewise youthful college students in Ohio County on the hazards of medication.

Gov. Jim Justice this week got here to the highschool to formally unveil this system, which can start within the fall. As West Virginia’s “head coach,” Justice mentioned he sees the realities of drug abuse on the state’s residents each day.

“West Virginia has been ravaged by this drug state of affairs, off the chart,” Justice mentioned. “And if we don’t get this proper, we don’t have an opportunity. We don’t have a prayer.

“Everyone knows it, however prefer it or not, medicine can cannibalize us. They’ll completely take our lives away. It doesn’t matter — Black or White, Democrat or Republican, wealthy or poor. They contact each single certainly one of us, the entire time.”

GameChanger provides kids choices, Justice mentioned, noting college students could have somebody to speak to in the event that they’re struggling over drug-related pressures.

This system has a three-year dedication, and Panhandle Cleansing & Restoration has agreed to cowl the $38,200 expense. Proprietor Bob Contraguerro mentioned his three sons — Bob Jr., Tom and Josh — delivered to him the concept of supporting the GameChanger program.

“And I couldn’t consider something higher to help than maintaining youngsters off medicine,” Contraguerro mentioned.

The drug epidemic is without doubt one of the biggest challenges of our age. It’s going to require a targeted workforce effort to assist kids perceive there are higher choices than utilizing medicine — significantly now, because the killer additive fentanyl has made its method into the area. Let’s hope this new program actually can change the sport for our youngsters and supply them a brighter future.