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Updated: 1:23 AM Mar 25, 2009
Teens Take on Drug Issues
High School Students in Jackson County, West Virginia, are taking a realistic approach to keeping their peers off drugs.
Posted: 2:49 PM Mar 24, 2009Reporter: Carrie Jones Email Address: Carrie.Jones@wsaz.com |
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5 Comments 
RIPLEY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Looking at the statistics, the prescription drug abuse problem in Jackson County, West Virginia, speaks for itself. In the past seven years, there have been 54 deaths from prescription medications from people 15-54.
These facts are leading igh School students to take action.
"I've kind of gotten used to it, that's the sad thing," said Ripley High School Senior Thomas Motes. "You're not shocked to hear it anymore, which is never a good thing."
Students at Ripley and Ravenswood High School are getting involved in T.I.F.U., short for "Take it From Us." They visit elementary and middle schools across the county, sharing their stories on why they choose to be drug free.
The group says it offers a realistic approach to talking to kids about drugs. Thomas Motes knew some of the people who have overdosed from prescription drugs, and knows it's not worth it.
"I think we can make more of a difference than the police or the D.A.R.E. program can," said Motes.
"This is where we live, this is our town, our community, our school and we want to make it the best place possible for us," said student Noah Fischer. "If we end up living here with our kids we don't want it to fall onto bad times."
TIFU members even helped set up a community center in downtown Ripley to give teens a place to hang out and to keep them out of trouble. The group also wants to set up a scholarship fund to give more teens a chance at a college education.
"I think mostly the problem occurs whenever you get out of high school and you're just there and you are on your own. You don't have parents to have as much say in your life and you have nothing else to do," said Motes. "Why wouldn't they do drugs? They don't have a career goal."
The groups meet every week to talk about what they can do, and to organize community events.
The teen center, the Grotto, is open every Friday. It has ping pong tables, a Nintendo Wii Station and an open mic for singers and musicians. It's located on Church Street, just down from the Ripley City Hall.
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Latest Comments
Why do people put this stuff in their bodies? Life is challenging enough without the mess of drugs.
I am the CEO at Roane County Family Health Care in Spencer, Roane County - The TIFU program is wonderful. We have a growing prescription drug problem in this area. We fully support the efforts of David McCutcheon and his team that provide this program. Larry Dent
Despite what we hear alot of, there are still plenty of good kids out there.
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