'Yes' to books, 'no' to drugs

A local nonprofit instilled in children the importance of reading and the dangers of drug use. Norwalk Elks recently hosted The Dictionary Project — an initiative to promote literacy — and the Elks Drug Awareness Programs with students at multiple area school districts. The Elks provided information on both local programs: Elks Dictionary Project The Elks Dictionary Project's goal is to give every third-grade student their own personal dictionary. This program began in 1995 by Mary French of Charleston, South Carolina. Its primary focus is to promote literacy to children in third grade. The following schools participated with their third-grade students receiving their own personal dictionaries: ● Norwalk Schools ● Norwalk Central Catholic Schools ● Trinity Christian Academy ● Monroeville Schools ● Monroeville St. Joseph ● Edison Schools ● New London Schools Elks National Drug Awareness Program With 295 overdose deaths per day, drugs have ravaged our communities and Ohio is at the center of it all. The Elks National Drug Awareness Program is the largest volunteer drug awareness program in the U.S. We believe, in order to ensure a bright future for our country, it is essential that our children be raised in a drug-free environment. Prescription and illegal street drugs are killing Ohioans at historic rates. Elks lodges across Ohio are working with local schools and police departments with information, tools, and programs to help communities dealing with this epidemic. The following schools participated with their fifth-grade students receiving their own drug-free booklet: ● Norwalk Schools ● Norwalk Central Catholic Schools ● Monroeville Schools ● Monroeville St. Joseph ● Edison Schools ● New London Schools Thank you to Elk volunteers John P.M. Moslener, Denise Reilly and Becky Parcher.