The Daily Leicester
LEICESTER, Mass. – Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis has been presenting his Face2Face Program to Middle School and High School students throughout Worcester County.
On Friday, Evangelidis paid a special return visit to Leicester Middle School to have a second Face2Face meeting with students in the 8th grade to discuss the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse.
The Face2Face program is an ongoing part of the Sheriff’s Substance Abuse Prevention and Education Initiative for Worcester County Schools. The Sheriff’s Face2Face system uses cutting edge technology and special computer software to simulate the shocking effects substance abuse can have on a person’s appearance over time, students at Leicester Middle School were able to see firsthand the potential devastating impact drug use can have on their very own classmates.
“As Sheriff I always look forward to spending time in the Leicester Schools, I am honored to come back today to Leicester Middle School for a second time with the Face2Face Program. With almost 90% of the inmates at the Worcester County House of Correction addicted to drugs and alcohol I have focused on education and prevention as the best way to keep our youth from starting on that direct path to prison. This unique drug and alcohol prevention program is tailored to send a powerful message to our students about the devastating effects of substance abuse. As the only Sheriff in the country presenting this program, I am committed to bringing Face2Face to every school district in Worcester County.” said Evangelidis.
“We really appreciate Sheriff Evangelidis taking time out of his busy schedule to come back to Leicester Middle School to meet with the entire 8th grade. The Sheriff’s Face2Face presentation is very powerful and had a tremendous impact on our students in demonstrating the devastating effects of substance abuse, we absolutely wanted all of our 8th grade students at Leicester Middle School to see it.” said Leicester Middle School
Guidance Councilor Kathy Warnken.
The Face2Face Program was donated by individuals and businesses who are dedicated to the County’s youth. In the past few months Sheriff Evangelidis has personally presented Face2Face to Middle & High School students in Worcester, Leominster, Clinton, Leicester, Spencer, Sutton, Southbridge and Grafton.
School Administrators have given the Sheriff’s Face2Face Program high marks as well, including David Prouty High School Principal Robert O’Brien “In over 20 years of being an educator, Sheriff Evangelidis was by far the most effective speaker in spreading the word of the dangers of drugs and alcohol.
Both students and parents made a point of thanking me for making this program available at our school, I hope others schools take advantage of this opportunity.”
As the only Sheriff in the country presenting this highly effective and innovative drug prevention program, Sheriff Evangelidis is committed to bringing Face2Face to every school district in the county. “Face2Face is an effective and innovative drug prevention program designed to make students think twice before making that bad choice to begin drug and alcohol use.” said Evangelidis
