LANDISVILLE – A new anti-drug education program was launched today and is now available to all Pennsylvania schools. The program, ‘Truth & Choices,’ created by the Attorney General’s Office, targets middle school and high school students.
Attorney General Tom Corbett today spoke to more than 500 sixth, seventh and eighth grade students at Landisville Middle School, and gave them a new perspective on drug use through the use of the Truth & Choices DVD program.
The program introduces students to Shane, a popular student from a suburban Pennsylvania school. As part of the DVD, Shane shares his true story of hard choices and near death experiences due to drugs and alcohol.
“Shane’s story is a reality check for all students,” Corbett said. “I hope that schools will use this program to open a unique dialogue about the realities of substance abuse.”
The presentation features interviews with Shane, who is currently serving a state prison sentence, his family, law enforcement and the medical community.
Corbett said that public safety is the single most important mission for government, and illegal drugs are the number one threat to public safety in Pennsylvania. The aim of this anti-drug program is to effectively educate students before they turn to illegal substance abuse.
“Until society can cut the demand for drugs they will continue to be an active presence in our neighborhoods,” Corbett said. “This program takes the first steps at reducing that demand. I hope that when a student is tempted to take a drink or a drug that they remember Shane and how his choices changed his life forever.”
Corbett said that the Truth & Choices program is geared for middle and high school students and is available free of charge to schools throughout the state. The Attorney General’s Office has also created a separate parent program.
In addition to receiving the materials, interested schools may set up presentations through the Office of Attorney General for their student body or parent groups.
Corbett noted that the Truth and Choices program is funded through forfeited property and money confiscated from drug searches and that taxpayer dollars were not used to produce the program.
Schools and school districts interested in receiving a copy of the anti-drug program or scheduling a presentation can contact the Attorney General’s Education and Outreach section at 1-800-525-7642 or via email at education@attorneygeneral.gov.
For more information about the Attorney General’s anti-drug program or any other education programs the office offers visit the Attorney General’s Web site.