PANDA program returns to Struthers

STRUTHERS — The Struthers Middle School cafeteria can get a little noisy every other Tuesday after school as nearly 100 students gather for the Prevent and Neutralize Drug Abuse leader’s club.

Kids spend about a half-hour with team-building activities and another half-hour talking about serious issues that affect young teens.

The group, known as PANDA, re-launched for the first time in more than a decade at the middle school. Each meeting focuses on a different discussion topic: Bullying, depression, violence, self-injury, peer pressure, alcohol or drugs.

Laura Bryer, a PANDA leader’s club coordinator, said Struthers, Austintown and Girard schools all received money from the governor’s Start Talking! grant to implement the PANDA leader’s club in their schools. Start Talking is a statewide initiative to reduce youth drug use.

She said the club is a program within Meridian Community Care, a local community-based, nonprofit organization that serves individuals and families struggling with addiction. Bryer said Struthers received $14,268 to maintain the club this school year.

For the complete story, read Thursday's Vindicator and Vindy.com