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Governor Justice and DMAPS press ahead with drug education

11/12/2018

Nov. 12, 2018

Gov. Justice, DMAPS press ahead with drug education

 

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety is answering Governor Jim Justice’s call to educate the state’s youth on the perils of drugs.

 

Both Gov. Justice and DMAPS are participating in several upcoming events that the media is encouraged to cover as the Justice administration continues its all-hands-on-deck approach to combatting the opioid crisis:

 

·         On Tuesday, Nov. 13, Gov. Justice will help welcome attendees to the West Virginia Youth Summit on Opioid Awareness at the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center.

o    The summit runs from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Gov. Justice is scheduled to speak at around 9:30 a.m.

o    The summit is presented by the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration as part of its DEA 360 Strategy. DMAPS is among the participants.

o    More information: https://www.drugfreeisuptome.org/west-virginia-home

 

·         On Wednesday, Nov. 14, DMAPS Drug Control Policy Director Jack Luikart and DEA Community Outreach Specialist Amanda Lacy will bring Gov. Justice’s Drug Outreach Initiative to Logan High School starting at 9 a.m.

o    This drug awareness and prevention presentation is grounded in Director Luikart’s decades-long career in anti-narcotics law enforcement, and developed in coordination with DEA and its 360 Strategy.

o    The initiative’s goal is to reach every West Virginia middle and high school student. To assist, both State Police and school-based Prevention Resource Officers are receiving training to deliver this presentation to students.

o    As part of this campaign, DMAPS is distributing the attached message from Gov. Justice to all participating students.

 

·         To aid coverage of this crucial topic, the media is asked to consider the annual drug awareness program at Mineral Wells Elementary in Wood County.

o    Held on Friday, Oct. 26, the daylong event featured law enforcement and first responders addressing the dangers of drugs among other topics.

o    Speakers included Military Affairs and Public Safety Secretary Jeff Sandy and Assistant Commissioner Bill Marshall of DMAPS’ Bureau of Juvenile Services. Marshall helped develop the annual program during his State Police career and as a youth leader in this community.

o    Sandy and Marshall helped incorporate Gov. Justice’s Drug Outreach Initiative into this year’s event.

o    The governor’s communications office produced an excellent video highlighting the program: https://www.dropbox.com/s/0mxho0l3yv77z48/Drug%20Awareness%20Event.mp4?dl=0

 

 

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LAWRENCE MESSINA (304) 558-2930 Lawrence.C.Messina@wv.gov