Quitman/Lake Fork Kiwanis Club is bringing the national program “Don’t Meth With Us” to Quitman and Yantis fifth graders.

While attending the 2019 Kiwanis International Convention, Club Vice President Katrina Davis heard about the program and felt lead to bring it back to the community.

“As the wife of a local law enforcement officer, I am aware of the heavy methamphetamine use that goes on around us each and every day,” acknowledged Davis. The program will specifically educate students on meth and what to look for in their own homes and with people they are involved with daily.

Starting in October, all Quitman and Yantis 5th graders will have a one-time, 1-2 hour class, which will be repeated yearly. Students will view slideshows and can participate in a hands-on demonstration.

“We will bring volunteers from the crowd to see and understand how dangerous these drugs are. Many kids who are experimenting with these drugs don’t realize what they can do to a person,” said Davis, stating that the chemicals used to make meth can explode, can destroy your teeth and more.

When each fifth grade class reaches their senior year of high school, they will have the opportunity to earn a scholarship by writing an essay on what they learned in the class and how it was a benefit to them.

In the future, Davis plans to expand and present the program to other schools in Wood County by the local Kiwanis clubs sponsoring their students’ shirts and pencils.

“Don’t Meth With Us” was first developed in 2006 in San Juan County, N.M. with the mission to educate children and families about the consequences of methamphetamine, arming them with the tools necessary to combat illicit drug use and addiction.

Since being introduced, the program has been implemented on four continents by civic organizations making a difference in their communities.  

“We are really looking forward to bringing this to Wood County in hopes of breaking the cycle of drug addiction,” concluded Davis.