'Drugs Kill Dreams' celebrates 15th year in Armstrong County
As Gary DeComo's Drugs Kill Dreams program turns 15, the Ford City-based district judge said he is as excited about the anti-drug program as he was when it started.
“I still have the same passion I did 15 years ago,” DeComo said. “Every step of the way, we're increasing awareness of drug prevention.”
That has included presentations at Armstrong County schools throughout the year, punctuated with videos of popular Pittsburgh sports figures, professionals and former drug addicts telling kids why they should stay away from drugs and alcohol. DeComo distributes educational materials and oversees a jail experience program that shows kids the consequences of addiction that lead to crime.
Partnering with schools, churches and the Richard G. Snyder YMCA, he shares his message with as many kids and parents in the county as he can.
“That way, we have the whole community talking about it at the same time,” he said. “If we have more parents on the Drugs Kill Dreams team, we will have less on the other team.”
DeComo's interest in drug prevention was sparked by experiences he had as a district judge. One he cites is when he met a high school student who drank on the school bus every morning.
“I started reading and realizing that most people with a major addiction started using at an early age,” he said.
Over the past decade and a half, the community and businesses have pitched in to help. This year, Armstrong County commissioners recognized the program by declaring that Tuesday will start Drugs Kill Dreams Year.
Armstrong County District Attorney Scott Andreassi calls DeComo's initiative one of the most successful he's ever seen.
“You can't even begin to imagine the number of lives that have been changed,” he said. “Anything that draws attention to the drug issue and prevention is appreciated more than I can ever say.”
To celebrate the program's anniversary, DeComo is adding an incentive by donating autographed professional sports memorabilia —including things like hockey sticks signed by members of the Pittsburgh Penguins and a jersey signed by former basketball star Magic Johnson — to teams in the Armstrong School District and other local youth sports teams. To get the prizes, team members and their parents will just need to sign a pledge saying they will prevent drug and alcohol abuse and promote a healthy lifestyle.
Another anti-drug program presented during the anniversary year will include the person responsible for the program's name — even though she didn't know it at the time. Tara Powers was a fourth-grade Lenape Elementary student when she drew a poster with the words “Drugs Kill Dreams” on it for a contest about 15 years ago. When DeComo saw the poster, he found the name for his program.
Powers, now married and named Maruca, will join DeComo when he presents his program at Lenape Elementary on Sept. 16. While she has stayed in touch with the judge over the years, this will be the first time she joins him at a presentation.
“I'm really excited to go back and see how kids react to it because I was once in their seat,” said Maruca, 26, a special education teacher in the Blairsville-Saltsburg School District. “Hopefully, generations to come will be influenced by Gary's campaign.”
Julie E. Martin is a staff writer for Trib Total Media.
