On Nov. 20, high school students welcomed a guest speaker from Prevention Solutions, an organization aiming to address public health challenges, to discuss the effects and causes of substance abuse. This annual program is designed to inform students about the physical and physiological effects of various substances.  

Mary Amanda Graham, a prevention specialist, presented an informative slideshow containing many facts about substances and their effects. For instance, she taught students about the impact of fentanyl, a powerful and dangerous synthetic opioid that was responsible for over 74,000 deaths in 2023. She also explained some reasons why people abuse substances. 

Almost all of the past speakers who were a part of the annual Prevention Solutions program shared a moving story about their own experiences, however, Graham focused more on the general facts and information regarding substance abuse rather than her own story. Some students saw this as a weakness of this year’s program. 

“I felt like this year’s program was less compelling and moving. Last year’s speaker shared a personal story, making it easier to put myself in her shoes and truly grasp the effects of substance abuse,” junior Navah Luxenberg said.

Others appreciated Graham’s more factual approach to the topic of substance abuse. 

Junior Ariella Roseman said, “The statistics about these drugs, like fentanyl, were shocking. It made me realize how dangerous these substances are, even in small amounts.”