PORT JERVIS—Ninety-eight of almost 200 eighth graders at Port Jervis Middle School received their certificates of completion for the Too Good for Drugs program on May 2, the second group of eighth graders and the first class in the school to graduate from the course.
The program teaches youth about healthy relationships, peer pressure, responsible decision-making, and the negative impact drugs, alcohol, and tobacco have on their body and life.
The 10-week course was a collaboration between Catholic Charities, the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council (ADAC), and the Port Jervis Police Department which are all part of the City’s anti-drug coalition Operation P.J. Pride.
Port Jervis has been caught in the rising tide of heroin use that has swept the nation, said Police Chief William Worden, and said the students can play a big role in changing that trend.
“I look at you as all leaders,” he told them. “I’m hoping this will spark a conversation with your generation so that we can overcome these problems, not only for your school but for your community.”
