FOR SCHOOLS

Hood River Valley High School should be commended for their drug prevention
efforts to address this serious issue. The leadership has shown a strong
commitment to addressing drug use head on from implementing proven
prevention curriculums and zero tolerance policies to sharing the situation
with the community.

Drugs affect our whole community. They have ruined and even ended many
lives. Drug use is a societal issue. Schools cannot be effective by
themselves. Everyone must join efforts to teach our young people about the
dangers and drawbacks of drug use and expand our efforts to provide
positive activities promoting leadership skills and community involvement
and belonging.

Hood River schools work closely with law enforcement, community agencies,
parents and businesses. They want each student to be successful. Everyone
can take a role in drug prevention and intervention. We can set good
examples for our children. We can attend parenting classes to learn better
parenting techniques. We can volunteer at youth activities, become a Big
Brother or Big Sister, hire a young person, seek youth opinions and
participation.

We owe our schools our strong support. They are not hiding their heads in
the sand. They are working hard to help our children grow to be productive
citizens. They can't do it alone. Collectively, we can make a difference.

Joella Dethman Director, Hood River County Commission on Children and
Families Hood River