Youth Key to Anti-Drug Coalition's Success

Youth have been a big part of the success of the Marshall County Anti-Drug Coalition in 2009.

They have been an integral part of two Project Sticker Shock events, one in April and the other in November, that aims to eliminate youth access to alcohol. And local youth were the driving forces behind two community events, June's "We Bark Against Drugs and Alcohol" family fun day and July's sand-volleyball tournament. The last two raised money for two local charities, the We Bark No-Kill Animal Shelter and the Marshall County Special Olympics.

Sticker Shock is designed to eliminate the sales of alcohol to adults who purchase alcohol for youth. Youth volunteers from all over Marshall County, with the help of adult chaperones, place specially made stickers on alcoholic beverages to remind customers that it's illegal to purchase or provide alcohol to minors. Students from Bishop Donahue Catholic High School in McMechen, Cameron High School, John Marshall High School in Glen Dale and Sherrard Middle School, as well as Cameron High School's SADD chapter, the Young Panthers and the Marshall County 4-H Club.

On Veteran's Day, Nov. 11, more than 100 youth and adults spent a portion of their holiday giving back to the community by participating in Sticker Shock.

Earlier this year, the Marshall County Youth in Action held the family fun day at the 12th Street Park in Moundsville. The event included face painting, tie-dying of shirts and games, with the money raised going to the We Bark shelter. In July, the sand volleyball tournament included a dozen teams and raised $235 for the Marshall County Special Olympics.