Teens working to prevent drug and alcohol abuse in Robeson County

LUMBERTON, NORTH CAROLINA - Students in Robeson County are working to drastically reduce drug abuse among their peers.

Robeson County has one of the highest rates of prescription drug abuse in the state, said Dr. Robin Cummings, the deputy secretary of health services for the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.

Robeson County high school students, working in part with Palmer Prevention, have sought ways to keep kids from doing drugs. They want to make sure as few students as possible decide to start.


"It's around 12 to 17 years old that children start experimenting with drugs," Cummings said.

Cummings spoke Thursday at the 16th annual Red Ribbon kick-off luncheon held by Palmer Prevention and the Robeson County Sheriff's Department. Palmer Prevention is a private nonprofit agency, established in 1992, whose mission is to prevent and reduce drug and alcohol abuse.

To combat abuse, students are starting more after-school activities and clubs to keep youth occupied. They are being taught and encouraged to tell other students not to do drugs.

"Coming from someone my age, kids tend to ignore it," said Thomas Norton, Palmer Prevention's executive director. "But hearing it from another kid? They tend to listen."

St. Pauls, South Robeson, Purnell Swett, Fairmont, Red Springs, Southeastern Academy, Flora MacDonald Academy and Lumberton High School, as well as Robeson County Career Center, worked with Palmer Prevention.

Girl Scout Troop 1623 from Red Springs also has been working with Palmer Prevention for four years. Members of the troop who have been working with Palmer for a year can earn a unique merit badge.

The students' goal is not just to lower the amount of drug abuse. They're working on other methods to lower the rate of accidental overdoses in Robeson County with several approaches.

"Talk it Up, Lock it Up" encourages teens and parents to lock up any dangerous substances at home, including drugs and alcohol.

Another campaign encourages teens not to text and drive - and to urge other drivers to do the same.
Palmer Prevention is working to have the tax on alcohol sales increased.

"We spend countless amounts on the effects of alcohol abuse," Norton said. "Why should people who don't drink have to pay for it?"

Staff writer Derek Wickham can be reached at wickhamd@fayobserver.com or 323-4848, ext. 332.