The Drug Education School Challenge (D.E.S.C.) Award was presented this year for the first time at the 111th Ohio PTA Annual Convention on April 22, in collaboration with the Cuyahoga County Opiate Task Force Education Subcommittee and Ohio PTA. The purpose of the award is to publicly recognize leadership schools throughout Ohio that are providing comprehensive drug education, prevention and intervention programs for both students and parents. This year’s main underwriting sponsor was The Sherwin Williams Company.
The first place D.E.S.C. Award went to North Royalton High School, located in Cuyahoga County, Ohio PTA District 12. Representatives from the school and PTA were honored at the PTA luncheon recognition ceremony, where they received a monetary reward and recognition banner, courtesy of The Sherwin Williams Company, as well as a signed certificate from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. “This is an honor to be recognized by the PTA for drug awareness and education programs,” said Sheri Stafford from the Partnership for a Healthy North Royalton (PHNR), who submitted the application. “Our district and community takes this issue seriously, works together, and tries to do as much as possible to raise awareness and help youth and families avoid the trappings of alcohol and other drug abuse.”
PHNR works with community leaders, schools and the North Royalton High School PTA to provide consistent drug awareness and prevention/education programs and events throughout the year. Some of the D.E.S.C. Award qualifying programs North Royalton High School incorporated included guest speakers from the Crisis Text Line and recovering addicts, a student-led club called STAND (Students Together Against Negative Decisions), and education during community events, including a Harvest Festival Tobacco Awareness campaign and Homecoming Bonfire Alcohol Awareness campaign. During Red Ribbon Week, the students held a Drug-Free Pledge Drive. The school also distributed a Youth Risk Behavior Survey called “OHYes.” Additionally, the school provided a “Parents Who Host, Lose The Most” campaign, along with ongoing drug prevention literature, website awareness, and education information.
“Ohio PTA congratulates the winners and is proud of North Royalton HS PTA and Revere HS PTSA for providing substance abuse awareness and prevention programs.” Susan Hans, Ohio PTA President continued, “We partnered with the Cuyahoga County Opioid Task Force to launch the D.E.S.C. Award as part of our ongoing commitment to better the health and well-being of all Ohio’s students.”
“Comprehensive prevention education is one of our most effective tools in addressing the opioid epidemic,” said LeeAnne Cornyn, Director of Children’s Initiatives for the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. “By providing annual, age appropriate prevention education, schools and communities can equip children with the knowledge and skills to resist drugs and other risk behaviors. We applaud schools, like Revere and North Royalton, that are investing in prevention education and, ultimately, their students’ lifelong success.”
For more information about the 2019 D.E.S.C. Award, or to gain additional information on student and school drug prevention education, contact your local PTA leadership, email ohiopta.org or contact the Ohio AG’s office at ohioattorneygeneral.gov.