STAR program offers look at hard lessons

Published 9:01 am Friday, February 25, 2011

It is one thing to hear that drugs are bad. It is another to see the evidence on TV or read about it in the newspapers. But it is an entirely different matter when you hear firsthand the stories of addicts who had their lives derailed by drug abuse.

Ironton High School students had just that opportunity Wednesday when two men who are currently working through the rehabilitation program at STAR Community Justice Center in Franklin Furnace shared their stories with the students. Their goal was to drive home an emotional message that could save some of these young men and women from traveling the path that led these men to STAR.

Danny Cox was an Ironton football player, a hero in the eyes of many. Now he is a cautionary tale but also a potential inspiration.

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Cox’s life is a good example of how things can go very wrong and how poor decisions can destroy so much promise.

We applaud Ironton High School for hosting this session and also STAR and its residents for offering it. It takes some courage to stand in front of a group of strangers and admit all the ways you have made mistakes.

We would like to see other districts initiate similar programs in their own schools that could hopefully accomplish the same goals.

Superintendent Dean Nance was on target when he said that if even one youth takes this message to heart, then it will be a success.

Hopefully, this is a success that can be translated across the county.