This past Tuesday, members from the Gates Fire District, Gates Volunteer Ambulance Service, Inc., and GATES Police Department along with the Gates Chili Central School District and Monroe County Sheriff’s Office held an Opioid Awareness Assembly for grades 9th and 10th. This was to bring awareness to our students that the battle with addiction is real and that they, and their families, are not alone. This was not only meant as prevention but also to inform the students that they can ask anyone for help without repercussions. 

Our first responders simulated a response to a person that is not conscious or breathing due to an overdose. Also, students got to hear from speakers who lost a family member due to addiction, who went to rehab and with a positive outcome, and an inmate from the Monroe County Jail who is currently struggling with an addiction battle. Thank you to all who participated and made this possible, especially to the speakers as your stories will hopefully save a life!