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FONTANA Calif. – As California National Guard members prepared for their presentation, students from 6th, 7th, and 8th grades filed into the auditorium at Fontana Middle School on September 11, 2024.
The air outside was thick with smoke from a nearby wildfire, and the students were instructed to stay indoors to avoid the poor air quality, adding a somber tone to an already solemn day.
"Today is September 11th, a day of remembrance for the United States, and one we will never forget... but that is not the reason we are here today," said U.S Army Staff Sergeant Lopez.
A school counselor added, "As many of you know, we lost a student last year to Fentanyl poisoning. She was only 12 years old, and her passing was a great loss for all of us. We invited the California National Guard here today to help educate you about the dangers of Fentanyl and to provide resources."
The auditorium fell silent as Staff Sergeant Lopez began to speak, sharing his own personal story of losing his childhood best friend and cousin, Carlos, to an overdose.
He spoke about the deep pain he felt, a pain that has become all too familiar for many, especially as the Fentanyl crisis has claimed so many young lives across the state.
In a way that was relevant to the students' age group, the presentation combined relatable stories, evidence-based science, and effectively conveyed the importance of understanding current data on substance misuse.
As the forum concluded, students lined up to thank the Service members and share their own experiences with the loss of a family member or friend.
Since 1989, the DDRO team has been committed to supporting the communities from which many Soldiers and Airmen come. Their primary focus is on youth mentorship, aimed at building resilience and educating about the dangers of substances and peer pressure.
Recently, Cal Guard civil operators expanded their team by 50%, which will provide mental health resources to youth in high-impacted communities to bridge the gap between them, their parents, teachers, and counselors.
| Date Taken: | 09.11.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 10.15.2024 13:11 |
| Story ID: | 481484 |
| Location: | SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 24 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, CalGuard Service members join with Fontana Middle School after loss of student to Fentanyl, by TSgt Stefany Leyva, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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