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Norwin SD bringing drug education to classrooms

WESTMORELAND COUNTY, Pa. — The Norwin School District is focusing on drug education as students head back to class in August.

A drug education program called Operation Prevention is being launched nearly district-wide. While what students learn will be staggered, they will being to be educated in as early as fifth grade.

“Here alone in the North Huntingdon area, we lost five of our Norwin graduates,” Norwin Middle School Principal Robert Suman said.

It’s the blunt reality of drug abuse in the Norwin School District in just the last year.

“This isn't happening in the next town. This isn't happening in the next state. This is happening to your neighbors. This is happening to your classmates,” Norwin High School Assistant Principal Tim McCabe said.

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Operation Prevention started as a pilot program at the district’s middle school last spring. It will now also be applied to the high school and Hillcrest Intermediate, which serves fifth and sixth grade.

“I don't think it's ever too young to start a conversation that could save someone's life,” Hillcrest Intermediate Assistant Principal Lisa Banasick said.

In fifth and sixth grades, students will be introduced to the topic of drugs.

“The difference between over-the-counter versus prescription drugs, making healthy choices,” Banasick said.

Middle schoolers will learn about pain medication, while high schoolers will learn the chemical effects drugs have on the body.