BACODA HOSTS AREA TEENS

DESPITE RAIN AND TEMPS that hovered near freezing, more than 300 students throughout the area attended Wednesday’s Youth Interactive Safety Lab that helped launched National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week. Students from as far as Deer Park participated in the event, which gave them a fun and interactive opportunity to learn about the dangers and misinformation about drugs and alcohol, which also included a virtual reality simulation of what it is like to drive under the influence. “We were overjoyed by the number of students we had,” said Jennifer Hart, who serves as the communications specialist for the Bay Area Council on Drugs and Alcohol (BACODA). “It was a great way to educate them in a fun and relaxed environment. I saw so many of them smiling, laughing and enjoying themselves.” The federal government shutdown nearly impacted the event, but representatives of the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Organizations for Youth Safety were able to arrive on Tuesday afternoon and joined UTMB, Texas A&M Transportation Institute, the Galveston Bay Foundation, The Council on Recovery, The Addiction Policy Forum and AAA Texas as exhibitors. “Having the federal agencies was critical to our planning,” said Hart. “Fortunately for us, the travel arrangements had been made before the shutdown.” One of the goals achieved on Wednesday was the connection the students made with local law enforcement that also included troopers from the Department of Public Safety and representatives from the Houston Police Department. The friendly banter and up-close discussions with the officers helped build a bridge that Hart sees being constructed. “The students were able to see that law enforcement is here to protect them, not to harm or hurt them,” she said. “Being able to see that law enforcement is supporting them made the day more fun.” Ball High’s student radio station, KTOR, was also onsite While the National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week concluded on Sunday, BACODA will continue its work toward enlightening youth of the value of avoiding the consequences of taking d a n g e r o u s substances. Already, BACODA has received correspondence from schools through – out the area looking to help spread awareness. Those interested in learning more about what B A C O D A does along with the various classes it hosts can go on their site at bacoda.org