Opioid Task Force hosting vaping, fentanyl education speaker

The Dodge County Opioid Task Force will be hosting Michael Deleon from Steered Straight at programs for both Dodge County high school students and the public next week.

Deleon will present the program to students in Hayfield, Triton, Kasson-Mantorville and the Zumbro Education District on March 10, 11 and 12. On March 11 the public is invited to a community session from 6 to 7 p.m. at Kasson-Mantorville Middle School in the commons area, said Dodge County Public Health Director Amy Evans. The community session is free, and all are welcome. The session will dive deep into the intricate world of student behavior, focusing on the critical issues of drug and vaping habits.

The mission of Steered Straight is to steer youth straight towards making sound, rational decisions. It presents a learning experience that provides a message of reality to help them make positive, informed choices.

Through motivational speaking, life-sharing seminars and interactive curriculum Deleon provides youth with real-life examples of negative consequences that resulted from making poor decisions. He gives kids the ability to develop a sense of understanding about the positive and negative choices in their lives.

The purpose is to steer youth’s lives in positive ways and encourage them to make positive life-choices and ultimately reduce the number of youths who end up in the criminal justice system due to making poor decisions.

Steered Straight is a 17-year proven program that does not explain drug prevention at school assemblies but teaches the reality of drugs and devises a prevention message the students implement themselves within their school system, according to the Steered Straight website.

Steered Straight has become the number one booked program in America with assemblies focused on drug education prevention. The program is primarily based on the uniqueness of the messenger, someone who has suffered the consequences of negative decisions. Steered Straight has found that youth instantly identify with Michael DeLeon, or another of the speakers, as a changed, motivated teacher with a real-life story to tell.

Steered Straight says it does not simply educate students about the harmful nature of drugs and alcohol but provides the reality and deadly impact it can and will have on their lives. They remove the concern parents’ have on how to help their kids and replace it with active solutions.

Organizers say they have found that the “just say no” message has not worked, nor will discipline and scare tactics. To actively achieve students wanting to stop using whatever substance, on whatever level and on their own, is the only method. However, it takes an engaging and powerful message. Michael DeLeon and his team delivers that, the organization says.

For more information about Steered Straight visit their website www.steeredstraight.org. For questions about the school or community sessions, contact Dodge County Public Health (507)-635-6150 or email emma.basness@dodgecountymn.gov.