A new drug education and mentorship pilot program is being launched in several elementary schools in Ohio, one of which is R.C. Waters Elementary in Oak Harbor, the state announced.

The Drug Resilience Education Awareness Mentorship program was developed by the Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center, Ohio Task Force Commanders Association, and Buckeye State Sheriffs' Association, with support from RecoveryOhio.

The program provides Ohio educators, local law enforcement officers, parents, guardians, and others with a new opportunity to have important age-appropriate discussions with kids about drug use and how it can negatively impact their futures,” Governor DeWine said in the announcement this past week.

Besides R.C. Waters Elementary in Ottawa County, the K-3 program pilot sites include Antwerp Elementary (Paulding County), Colerain Elementary and Taylor Elementary (Hamilton County), Wickliffe Elementary (Lake County), Glacier Ridge Elementary (Union County), and a homeschool group in Marion County.

The pilot program is currently in multiple K-3 classrooms in Ohio and will later expand to older age groups.

R.C. Waters Elementary is in the Benton-Carroll-Salem School District.

RecoveryOhio was formed in 2019 to advise the governor’s office on matters concerning mental illness and substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery support services in the state.

First Published March 27, 2022, 8:40 p.m.