Ron Welch
Muskingum County Prosecutor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, December 27, 2022
Prosecutor's Office awards students for anti-drug initiatives
The Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office awarded three local essay contest winners with checks to fund drug awareness and prevention programming at their respective high schools.
Haylie Stemm of Philo High School took $2,500 back to her school, while Bayle Hendrickson of John Glenn High School won $1,500 and Kylah Miller won $500 for Tri-Valley High School.
Each student submitted an essay describing drug culture at their school and what programming can be implemented to make kids more aware of the dangers of drugs and prevent them from using.
The teens researched how drugs impact the adolescent brain, what programs already exist and made suggestions as to how their school can incorporate similar programming either in the curriculum or extra-curricularly.
The money awarded to the schools comes from the proceeds of drug trafficking in Muskingum County after assets are seized by law enforcement and the Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office.
“Being able to take money from drug traffickers and use it to educate our children is very satisfying,” Prosecutor Ron Welch said. “Instead of drug dealers preying on newly created addicts we are providing tools to prevent addiction from happening. Fewer drug dealers and drug-addicted persons makes our community better and safer for everyone.”
The schools are now tasked with implementing drug awareness and prevention education for students, since youth are often the targets of trafficking.
In the last year, the Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office provided over $40,000 for similar educational programs within each local school district.
###
Follow the Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office on Facebook for the most current and complete information.
