Trumann, Ark. — Trumann Middle School has received a $1,000 grant from the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association to support its efforts in preventing drug use among students.
The funding will be used by the school district to purchase decorations, posters, and other materials for its annual Red Ribbon Week, an anti-drug campaign slated for the end of October.
The grant will also benefit the P.A.W.S. club, a student-led group that plays a pivotal role in delivering peer-focused education on the dangers of substance abuse. According to Melissa Miller, who works at the Trumann School District Parent Center and assists with the P.A.W.S. program, the club not only provides students with factual information about drugs but also fosters personal growth among its members.
"It’s teaching them leadership and giving them the confidence to be able to tell their peers why tobacco, vaping, and drugs are bad," Miller said.
Red Ribbon Week is a national initiative aimed at raising awareness about the impact of drugs, and the Trumann community has consistently participated in the effort to engage students with meaningful, preventative education.