Two Rockwood School District teens recently attended a four-day training in Nashville, TN, to learn more about substance abuse prevention. Jessika Buehler, a Eureka High School senior, and Madison Robinson, a Rockwood Summit High School junior, represented the Rockwood Drug-Free Coalition at the training, along with the coalition staff.

Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America’s Mid-Year Training Institute was a unique conference designed specifically for community-based substance abuse prevention organizations. The conference covered a wide range of topics, including prescription drug abuse, underage and binge drinking, synthetic drugs, marijuana myths, and environmental strategies to combat these issues.

The students and staff were among 1,800 prevention specialists and students honing their skills in developing and implementing effective prevention programs. 

Both students, Buehler and Robinson, are members of Rockwood Helping Others Remain Safe (RHORS), the youth arm of the coalition.

“There were over 400 kids at this conference, but very few others from Missouri, and I was so glad to be one of them,” said Robinson in a release from the coalition. 

“I learned some new strategic skills and I know this will give us an edge in improving RHORS this year.  I’m excited to get started."

Renee Heney, director of the Rockwood Drug-Free Coalition, and Shannon Green, Project and Youth Coordinator, attended the conference with the students. 

“We spent a week with other organizations and coalitions from across the country, and are anxious to put our prevention skills to work to help make our community a better place,” Green said.