Kudos: Drug Store Project appreciates help from the community

Tahoe is a glorious place. Most of us come here to live in its beauty, but it’s the “community” that keeps so many of us here. It’s that sense of doing good for one another that keeps many of us hopeful about the future. I’m happily involved in different aspects of our community and that part of my life is why I feel so grateful and blessed. Tuesday’s Drug Store Project for our sixth-grade youth was a testament to the compassion and dedication of our agencies, businesses, service clubs, and community members for the good of its people.

For the past 16 years, over 45 entities have etched out their normal day of business to participate in an event all for the health and welfare of our kids. For the past 16 years volunteers within our community have worked around their vacations and normal routines to participate in this event; all for the idea of keeping children, not even known to them, safe from drugs, alcohol, and destructive behavior.

In a conversation on the evening of the event I had with Chris of McFarlane Mortuary, one of our agency participants, we talked about what an amazing community Tahoe is and how troubled we are with the increase in deaths due to drugs and alcohol. We both agree that it sometimes feels like we’re fighting an uphill battle, but if this program makes a difference for one family; then it’s worth it. As for me, I feel there are too many of us who are in a club we never wanted to join; the club of adults who have lost loved ones due to drugs, alcohol, mental illness, and destructive behavior.

I want to thank the following agencies for their continued support in this program: Barton Health, California Conservation Corps, California Highway Patrol, CA National Guard Joint Task Force, CALSTAR, Cal Tahoe JPA, Camelot Party Rentals, Douglas County Search & Rescue, EDC Behavioral Health, El Dorado Community Foundation, EDC District Attorney, EDC Probation Department, EDC Public Defender, EDC Search & Rescue - Tahoe Team, EDC Superior Court, El Dorado Sheriff's Office, Harrah's Foundation, Harrah’s HEROS, Kindred Hospice, Kiwanis Club of Tahoe Sierra, Lake Tahoe Community College, Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel, Lake Valley Firefighter’s Association, Lake Valley Fire Protection District, Live Violence Free, McFarlane Mortuary, Naval Air Station Fallon, Optimist Club of South Lake Tahoe, Partnership Douglas County, Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe, Soroptimist International of Tahoe Sierra, SLT Fire Department, SLT Police Department, SLT Police Officer's Association, STHS Friday Night Live, South Tahoe Middle School, STMS Club Live, Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District, Tahoe-Douglas Rotary Club, Tahoe Youth & Family Services, and Zephyr Cove Elementary.

I also want to thank the many volunteers, some of which have been volunteering for this program all 16 years, for their time and passion that we all share; doing what we can to keep our kids safe. Many of these individuals share their personal stories with our kids; they step outside their “safety zone” for the greater good.

Your bravery touches my heart.

People often ask me if they think programs like ours makes a difference. I believe they do.

Parents have a responsibility to make drug prevention more than a talk now and then. Having open communication with their child as to why drugs are harmful should be an on-going conversation. Parents can use the many resources in the community to gain correct information and knowledge. In addition, each of us as a community member has the responsibility to “speak out” when we see youth participating in something that’s not appropriate. If you see a young person smoking a cigarette or vaping, say something to them. If you know their parents, say something to the parents. The health and safety of our youth is the responsibility of all of us. The Drug Store Project and the involvement of so many agencies and people sends a clear message to our youth that our community values and cares for its children and will do whatever is necessary to keep them healthy and safe. If you’d like to understand what our project is, please visit www.makeschoolssafe.com . There you will find a description of the program and much more. You can even sign up for next year’s event here!

Again, thank you to all for the continuous donations as money, in-kind services, and time. I am so proud to be a member of this community.

Gratefully,

Lisa Huard
Drug Store Project Coordinator