Fayetteville-Manlius School District staff members are joining forces with community organizations to educate students about the dangers of opioid abuse.
In June, Eagle Hill and Wellwood middle school eighth-graders participated in “See Something, Say Something, Save Someone,” a workshop that through education and interactive activities provides students with more information about the dangers of opiates, including heroin.
Drugs are the leading cause of accidental death in the United States, with fatal overdoses surpassing shooting deaths and fatal traffic accidents, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.
The two-day program was led by Manlius Fire Department’s first responders, Prevention Network representatives, F-M staff members, and Mark Frank, a community member whose family has been tragically impacted by substance abuse. Throughout the sessions, students listened to presentations, asked questions, participated in team-building exercises, and observed emergency medical technicians respond to a mock overdose. Students also discussed healthy alternatives to managing life’s stressors and the importance of eliminating mental illness stigma.
The program compliments a portion of F-M’s eighth grade health curriculum that focuses on substance abuse prevention.
