What kind of difference can five minutes make?

The Ohio State Highway Patrol hopes that small amount of time can be the difference between a good choice and a bad one; or even a matter of life and death.

The OSHP, in conjunction with the Ohio National Guard and state’s high school athletic association and department of public safety began its 5 Minutes for Life program in the fall of 2013 in hopes of raising awareness to the dangers of drug use for high school students.

Not only that, the agencies are hoping student-athletes can become ambassadors for the cause.

Troopers around the state are meeting with student-athletes to discuss responsible decision-making and how they can encourage fellow students to live drug-free lives.

We think encouraging students to advocate a drug-free message to their peers is an excellent way to help curb the drug abuse problem in Lawrence County.

As drugs become more and more available, more and more people, young and old will have access to some kind of substance of abuse.

We hope those students who are visited by Ohio’s troopers will take this task to heart and have the courage and convictions to be role models for their peers.

With students taking an active role, hopefully Ohio can eliminate illegal drug use among high school students and, ultimately, save lives.