“I am just excited to see kids that are in fifth grade that are active,” state Rep. Kyle Koehler said. “I was really impressed with this class. For fifth graders they are very active and understand a lot.”
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Students began the presentation Tuesday by explaining what heroin is, how it’s used, its effects and where a life of addiction can lead. They reviewed the options available to addicts in Springfield and what the state can do to help fight addiction.
Koehler, a Republican from Springfield, said heroin is causing many deaths throughout Ohio and that it’s important for everyone to realize addiction can impact the lives of anyone.
“Today, the heroin problem that we have, it happens to the mother of three that lets her pain medication get out of hand,” he said. “We don’t understand how addictive heroin is.”
The students toured the Statehouse and met Koehler in Columbus recently. They also made posters with facts about heroin and created awareness ribbons that they have handed out to the community. They have also spoken with many officials since the beginning of the school year, including firefighter Alex Wendt and the Interfaith Hospitality Network.
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Parent Katy Jordan said she felt proud to see that her child’s class worked so hard to alert the community of the dangers of heroin.
“They learned a lot and taught us a lot,” she said. “I think it’s very important because they are starting (drugs) younger and younger. The more they know the more they won’t do it.”
The school district is working hard to make sure students understand the dangers of addiction, Jordan said.
“I feel like they did a good job,” she said. “They need to get it out there. They are not being shy about it because it is not something to be shy about.”
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