Mineral Wells Elementary students learn drug safety
Mineral Wells Elementary hosts program
MINERAL WELLS — Local law enforcement and first responders spoke Tuesday to students at Mineral Wells Elementary School about the dangers of drugs, tobacco and firearms.
Principal Melissa Powers said the annual program for fourth- and fifth-grade students gives them a chance to meet local law enforcement in a positive environment while learning how to avoid dangers in their community.
“The important thing is that the students know they can say ‘no,'” she said. “It’s important for them to know they have people they can trust and that they can go to when they need.”
The West Virginia State Police, Wood County Sheriff’s Department, the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources police, Wood County Day Report Center, Mineral Well Volunteer Fire Department, Parkersburg South Prevention Resource Officer Todd Lambiotte, RESA V, Parkersburg Police Department and Rick Woodyard, director of the Wood County 911 Center and a former deputy sheriff with expertise in narcotics, participated in the program Tuesday, speaking to students on a wide variety of topics.
“It’s phenomenal to see all of the resources that come together for this,” Powers said. “It shows how important this information is for the kids and for the community.”
Wood County Schools Superintendent John Flint praised the program.
“This is a special day,” he said. “These agencies give up their time to come here and make sure these students are aware of the dangers of drugs and alcohol. The hope is these students will go home and talk to their families, share their knowledge and make their homes and neighborhoods safer.”
Fifth-grader Lauren Powers said the event imparts in students an important message.
“I think it shows us how important it is to not do drugs,” she said. “it’s really bad for our bodies and it shows how it will harms us and how just trying it once can make you addicted.”