Jefferson County Health Class Presentation

Barb Reiter, Jefferson County Block Grant

Each October the Jefferson High School health teacher invites Lee Benner and me to present a message of making healthy choices to the freshmen. About 50 students and staff listened while Lee shared her story of her son who died of alcoholism.  She includes in her message some facts and statistics about alcohol and how it is affecting the youth across the country and especially in Montana. 

The students are encouraged to write about their thoughts (no names) and then leave them with us. Lee and I continue to appreciate the honesty and trust the students express in the depth of their shares.  Our experience is that 60-75% of the students have or are dealing with alcoholism in at least one family member. 

There is also time allotted for interaction about the natural highs in their lives.  This is always very energizing and ends on a positive note.