Crawford County youth planning annual drug-free celebration

MARION, OHIO – Friday, September 16, 2022 – Marion-Crawford Prevention Programs (MCPP) announced today that it is working with Crawford County students to host the first “Crawford Connected Drug Free Youth Rally.” The student-led event will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. next Thursday, September 22 at Schines Art Park in Bucyrus and feature student bands, food trucks, games, and welcome stakeholders, including Mayor Jeff Reser, Crawford County Commissioners, and local businesses celebrating the majority of students who choose to be substance free.

Laura Busler, Associate Director with Marion-Crawford Prevention Programs, was pleased to make the announcement: “This event allows the community and local businesses to see and meet these students, these kids, making good choices. All substance-free students at the Crawford County local school districts are welcome to participate in the rally.”

Students from all Crawford County school districts are expected to attend, and the number of participants is estimated to exceed 150. The rally is part of the efforts of the Ohio Youth-Led Prevention Network, and MCPP coordinated their first such event in Marion in 2021. It is designed to showcase and bring attention to the fact that most students are drug and alcohol-free and promote a positive message to the community and business community who will hire these future employees and the next generation of leaders.

“The rally sheds light on the students who are using skills to recognize and resist pressures to try substances,” shared Crawford County Commissioner Tim Ley, a former Crawford County Sherriff’s Office deputy of 37 years and former DARE officer. “It is wonderful to see this initiative come to life with the support of the Crawford Partnership, Bucyrus Area Chamber of Commerce, Marion-Crawford Prevention Programs, Commissioners, and City of Bucyrus.”

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About the Marion-Crawford Prevention Programs

Marion-Crawford Prevention Programs was established as a 501(c)(3) and State Certified Prevention Agency in 2010, with support and funding from the Crawford-Marion Board of Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health (ADAMH) Services.

Launched nearly 20 years ago, the board has established a firm commitment to prevention through programs and services for youth and community members. The agency often partners with ADAMH and utilizes federal and state grants to fund the programs and staff members. They ultimately provide opportunities to empower youth to become influential leaders in promoting positive lifestyle choices among their peers and their schools and communities.

About the Crawford Partnership

Started in 2006, the Crawford Partnership for Education and Economic Development is a private, non-profit corporation dedicated to driving collaborative economic, community and workforce development in Bucyrus, Galion, Crestline, New Washington, and all of Crawford County, Ohio. Twice in the last four years, the community has been nationally ranked in the top 20% for economic development and is pursuing an aggressive, strategic, and comprehensive agenda to become a community of choice for business and residents. To learn more about the Crawford Partnership, please visit us at crawfordpartnership.org

Disclaimer: While the Crawford Partnership issues press releases on economic, community, and workforce development projects, resources, assets, advantages, and activities in Crawford

County, Ohio, to strengthen the community’s image and to promote additional development,

publication of such announcements does not imply direct assistance from The Partnership unless specified.