Area recognizes Red Ribbon Week | News, sports, jobs

AWARENESS – Jefferson County’s adult drug court, the Phoenix Program, launched its fifth annual Red Ribbon Week drug awareness initiative. Those in attendance included (from left) Hope Bonomo, treatment officer for the Phoenix Program; Kevin Schrader, drug court officer; Jefferson County Common Pleas Judge Michelle G. Miller, drug court judge; Laura Trifonoff, program director; and Kurt Kelley, drug court officer. — Contributed

STEUBENVILLE – Jefferson County's adult drug court, the Phoenix Program, kicked off its fifth annual Red Ribbon Week on Oct. 19.

The event was held in conjunction with a community walk at Jim Wood Park.

The Phoenix Program maintains the collaboration of multiple regional departments and programs to support and guide families and the community in promoting young people's full potential for healthy, drug-free lives.

Events have been designed to help steer young people away from drugs and raise awareness of the problems caused by drugs.

The Phoenix program is partnered by the United Prevention Partnership and Drug Free Communities Support Program, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department, the Steubenville Police Department, the Jefferson County Drug Task Force, the Jefferson County Health Department, various local treatment providers and county agencies.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration released data showing that between 2021 and 2022, about 3 million teens between the ages of 12 and 20 started using alcohol, 2 million started using marijuana, and 2 million teens started using have started vaping.

Laura Trifonoff, Phoenix's program director, said the program has an opportunity to help adults with a substance use disorder every day.

“The kickoff of Red Ribbon Week and the Community Walk gives us an opportunity to begin drug prevention with our youth and provide resources to their parents.” Trifonov continued. “It allows us to build partnerships with local law enforcement and treatment agencies in our community so families know they have support. It really takes a village.”