Inglewood Junior High Presents DATA Week

Update: The car for Mark Lovell's presentation was provided by Mutual of Enumclaw.

Each year Inglewood Junior High's PTSA presents D.A.T.A. Week (Drug Alcohol Tobacco Awareness Week) to highlight issues that students may face around the use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco.  

This year’s DATA Week events launched with a school wide assembly featuring Local Eastside Fire & Rescue firefighter Scott DePuy, founder of Ryan’s Solution. He shared personal experiences about the loss of his son in 2008 to a prescription drug overdose, and talked about The Gold Standard Pledge, a tool designed to give a voice to the "silent majority" of drug-free kids and teens.

Approximately 600 students signed the pledge, indicating that they pledge to stay drug free and seek help for themselves or friends who may be struggling with drugs.

DePuy also spoke at a parents' event during DATA Week, sharing suggestions for parents to initiate conversations surrounding issues related to drug use. His main message was that no matter what you do for a living, you can’t do it alone.

On another day during DATA Week, Mark Lovell, of Precision Collision Auto Body (mlovell@precisioncollisionautobody.com), brought in a wrecked car, provided by Mutual of Enumclaw, for “show and tell." He shared with the kids the dangers of texting and driving. Precision Collision does free Safety and Educational Training. 

Safety Resource Office Ken Williams also assisted this week sharing "Fatal Vision Goggles" which show the kids how alcohol can affect your ability to react when driving. 

Also, during the week there were Trivia facts announced by S.T.A.N.D. (Supporting Teens Against Negative Decisions) Students during the morning announcements. If they were able to repeat a fact heard during lunch, to a parent volunteer, they received a free cookie. Some of the facts including misusing over the counter drugs or prescribed drugs and their side effects.
We ended the week on Friday with “The Organ Lady," Colleen Williams, co-founder of Choice and Consequence. Colleen has an amazing story to share. Her mission is to educate youth about the consequences of their health behaviors using real human organs. A very effectiv

Irene Russo, a PTSA member and DATA chair, said the Organ Lady, and all the other events of the week added up to a very effective training program to share with the kids.   

"I believe the week turned out great," she said.

--Information provided by Inglewood PTSA.