BRIDGEPORT – The Bulldogs have taken a stand against substance abuse and put the word out that a drug-free life is better in every way.
On Oct. 22, Bridgeport Middle School and High School students heard from speaker Trevor Tripp of the drug, alcohol and vaping prevention program Vive18, courtesy of the Friends of Belmont County Juvenile Court.
Tripp, of San Diego, is part of an effort to provide educational resources for drug awareness and promote the fun and opportunities young people can tackle without drug use.
This marks his first visit to Bridgeport. He was impressed by the reception.
“It’s been a good time. I’ve loved the weather, I’ve loved the culture, I’ve loved all the staff of all the schools I’ve been to. A really welcoming community.”
Tripp shared his story. When he was an eighth grader substance abuse contributed to the loss of a family member, so he resolved to abstain from drug use.
He brought energy to the presentation. Tripp began with the question: What do they want out of life and where would they like to be 10 years from today? The young Bulldogs had a variety of ambitions and Tripp said they had the tools to achieve them, but there have been people who had potential but never met their goals.
“Where you start in life might be by chance, but where you end in life is by choice,” he said. “You’re going to start making decisions for yourselves that are going to determine your trajectory in life.”
Central to his message was the difference between shortcuts and building skills. A shortcut is a quick escape while skills demand effort, but through which people grow and learn and gain experience that will benefit them through life. Tripp said this included sports, playing a musical instrument, and building lasting relationships with real friends,
“A lot of these good things in life are skillsets that take time and effort and energy, but I believe the result that it yields is far greater than any cheap, instant rush that drugs and alcohol and vaping and cannabis products can ever offer you.”
He said the choices students are making right now matter, since most addictions begin at a young age, and when someone is young their experiences leave more of an impression with developing brains, for better or for worse.
He was open about and honest about resisting peer pressure as well as the opportunities he found by refraining from substance abuse.
He shared data from the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey that indicated significant numbers of high school students do not use drugs or alcohol.
“There is community for you. There are fun things to do outside of partying and drinking, smoking and vaping, if you so choose to abstain from those things,” he said.
“I had a wonderful junior and senior year of high school. It was because I found people and people and I found skillsets and I found hobbies that I could develop alongside them, and it was way more fulfilling,” he said. “It was way more worth it than the quick rush of instant gratification of some manufactured counterfeit high.”
He said vaping is not a good way to deal with stress, only another quick escape that does not last and will not solve their problems. He reminded the students they are not alone.
“I don’t know the stuff you guys are dealing with on a daily basis, but I guess it’s hard. I bet you guys have struggle, some adversity you guys have to push through, but I promise you, if you guys need help there are people in this room who want to help you through those things,” he said. “If you feel like you need help and you don’t know what to do and you’re using, talk to somebody. You have counselors, you have teachers who care about you, who care about your future and want to see you become that person that you want to be 10 years from now.”
Noah Atkinson, who runs the juvenile court’s Concentrated Conduct Adjustment Program, said outreach was important in encouraging a substance-free lifestyle. The goal is to reduce juvenile drug cases that turn up in court and the best approach is prevention. He added Tripp is particularly effective because he relates to the students.
“He’s very energetic, he gets the crowd motivated and they really buy in to what he’s saying,” he said. “The more education we can get out from the court, the better outcome students and the youth have.”
Atkinson said vaping is a significant issue across Belmont County. Speakers like Tripp make a point to encourage students to refrain from vaping and to resist peer pressure.
He commended Bulldog culture for buying into the prevention program.
“Bridgeport’s always great to come to because they’re very proactive. They’re very receptive to what the court tries to do. They’re a good team approach that we have with Bridgeport, and we’re always excited to bring any type of program here.”
Sixth grader Brennan said Tripp was one of the more dynamic speakers to visit the school.
“He was pretty realistic on it,” he said. “He got to everyone.”
Middle School Principal Anne Haverty Lawson said Tripp’s message was simple and relevant.
“Positive choices have positive outcomes.”
