Commissioner Proud speaks to Coalition for a Drug-Free Clermont County ‘After Prom’ donation recipients about the importance of having fun at prom but not giving in to peer pressure.
It’s prom season in Clermont County! Amelia, Felicity, Glen Este, Williamsburg, Milford and New Richmond High Schools were each awarded grant checks earlier this month to help fund After Prom activities. The significance of funding After Prom activities is to provide a safe and drug-free environment for students. A student from each school district attended the meeting to receive the awarded money and each made a brief presentation regarding the details of their individual after prom events. Commissioner Bob Proud stated, “These are good kids who deserve an opportunity to experience all that a prom has to offer, without the interference of alcohol or drugs. I have served on the Clermont County Drug Free Coalition for many years and being able to award these grants to deserving students is something in which the Coalition takes great pride” Commissioner Proud addressed the crowd of local leaders, school staff and students before the donation presentation. Proud spoke to the audience concerning the dangers of deciding to use drugs or alcohol which could likely cause a destructive direction in their future and warned it isn’t worth it.
The grant money is offered to qualifying schools from the Coalition for a Drug-Free Clermont County and the Clermont County Mental Health and Recovery Board. Students must purchase a ticket for the After Prom event; however all activities, food and raffles are included with the cost of the ticket. The students are “locked in” at the party and organizers will call parents if youth leave early. “The after prom grants help provide a safe, controlled, fun environment for young people,” said Jimmi McIntosh, Chair of the Coalition for a Drug-Free Clermont County. “The After Prom activities are designed to minimize the number of unsupervised parties that happen, where underage drinking can occur.”
The Coalition for a Drug-Free Clermont County coordinates with community partners, including the Clermont County Mental Health and Recovery Board, the Board of County Commissioners and local schools to promote safe choices among local youth regarding the use of alcohol and other drugs. The Coalition meets the second Tuesday of each month to organize various functions and implement strategies which educate the community about the dangers of using drugs and alcohol.
To receive After Prom event funding, schools are required to attend Coalition meetings, participate in a Clermont Safe Communities program that encourage responsible driving, and complete an application that states how the grant money will be utilized to increase awareness about the dangers of drug abuse. The mini grants are awarded through a partnership between the Coalition for a Drug-Free Clermont County and the Clermont Mental Health and Recovery Board. For more information, call the Coalition Director, Heidi Woods at 513-735-8159 or visit drugfreeclermont.org.
