Last May, veteran police sergeant Michael Powell gave a presentation to Woodmore’s High School students.

This year, Sgt. Powell came back to Woodmore to spread the message of being street smart to seventh grade students. Powell shared the presentation with parents and community members as well.

His presentation consisted of many heartbreaking stories of families who lost loved ones to illegal drugs, abused prescription drugs and even household items abused for the purpose of getting high.

Students were taught different types of slang used for certain drugs that are commonly heard in songs on the radio and on television, showing students how extremely “uncool” the media can really be. He also showed pictures of different examples of abused medications and ways users hide drugs.

Powell travels to schools all around Ohio to teach young people how to be smart about their decisions. He was with the Franklin County sheriff's office for four decades, spending much of that time as an undercover narcotics officer. He retired in 2006 as a DEA taskforce supervisor.

His presentation had a big impact on Woodmore seventh graders and even changed their outlook on drugs and drug users.

Cassidy Roginski, a Woodmore seventh grade student, offered in a survey what she learned.

“Drugs over take you and make it hard to stop once you start,” stated Roginski.

Throughout Powell’s presentation, he stated “be wise in your choices.”

School nurse Janet Wendt saw the presentation at a conference in Fremont.

“My goal of offering his message was to open the ears and eyes of younger students and community members to be aware of the problem and prevent it. I also wanted to show parents the signs and symptoms to look for,” said Wendt.

(Brianna Swartz is a Woodmore senior who writes for the school newspaper, Window to Woodmore. His story from the October issue was used with permission from advisor Carolyn Nitz.)

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