Groups seek to eliminate school drug use

VW independent/submitted information

“5 Minutes for Life” is a new educational campaign to reduce, and ultimately eliminate, the demand for illegal drug use among high school students and other young adults.

The campaign, which began in the fall of 2013, is a partnership that includes the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio High School Athletic

Association, Ohio National Guard, and Ohio Department of Public Safety. The program centers on state troopers, Ohio National Guard members and local law enforcement talking for five minutes with student-athletes from high school sports teams before or after a practice about responsible decision making, leadership, and encouraging those in their peer group to live a drug-free lifestyle.

These presentations may also include testimonials from those directly impacted by drug addiction.

Following the before or after high school practice presentations by troopers, guard members, and local law enforcement role model athletes are encouraged to spread the message within their school creatively using the “5 Minutes for Life” key points.

High school students will be encouraged to use social media to promote these key concepts and post/send related video messages to campaign Facebook and Twitter sites operated by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

“5 Minutes for Life” represents a tangible way in which Ohio high school students and athletes can contribute to a safer Ohio. It’s only five minutes for the rest of their life.

The statewide partnership involves all 60 Patrol posts, National Guard units, and local law enforcement throughout Ohio, as well as more than 800 OHSAA-member high schools. Whether it’s golf, tennis, cross country, field hockey, soccer, volleyball, or football, “5 Minutes for Life” is intended to remind and encourage student-athletes, cheerleaders, band members, and students to lead by example and encourage peers to live a responsible, drug-free lifestyle.

Across Ohio, student-athletes, coaches, cheerleaders, band members, and other people who realize their example can make a difference are pledging their support of “5 Minutes for Life”. Additional information on the program can be found at https://www.facebook.com/fiveminutesforlife or

www.twitter.com/5minutesforlife.