STEUBENVILLE, Ohio — As the opioid, vaping, mental health crisis and more continue to affect young people, a national speaker made a stop at Catholic Central Schools to spread his message about prevention.
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“I’m trying to get kids to put off any type of decision about consumption of alcohol and drugs until their brains developed in their late 20s,” Michael DeLeon said. “I’d like them to never drink alcohol, never do drugs, but if I could just get kids not to touch it until their brains are developed, in 30 years we can end addiction in America.”
Making his way through all 50 states and internationally, DeLeon, founder of Steered Straight, says students in Ohio need the care.
“Ohio is the No. 1 state for drug deaths, the No. 1 state for Fentanyl deaths – Ohio,” DeLeon said. “So, I want to solve this problem. Prevention is the only way we’re going to do it.”
Students in grades 5-12, and parents, were given the opportunity to speak with DeLeon.
The program was sponsored by Milton Health Group — which could invest in a recovery center in Jefferson County.
“Excited that Milton Health Group is coming here,” Jefferson County Commissioner Tony Morelli. “Excited to be able to offer services to our residents. It’s almost insane to me that we don’t have one.”
While addiction remains a battle locally and beyond, officials are trying their best to spread those resources.
“Our kids have lost the experience of experimentation,” Shannon Irvin, of Cedar One Realty, said. “Fentanyl-laced and Fentanyl poisoning every minute. I can’t reiterate how wonderful it is that Dr. Graham and Mrs. Danaher allowed a program like this to come in.”