Ohio National Guard Counterdrug Task Force supports drug-free teens at We Are The Majority Rally

Photo By Chad Menegay | Sgt. Stephen C. Bennett, who works for the Ohio National Guard Counterdrug Task Force, marches with students to the Statehouse in downtown Columbus, Ohio April 30, 2019, as part of the annual We Are The Majority Rally, which drew over 1,800 Ohio teens and celebrates youths leading a drug-free lifestyle. Counterdrug Task Force (CDTF) members served in a number of supporting roles to make the event successful and generally interacted with the youth in attendance, showcasing that the Ohio National Guard is a drug-free organization and highlighting what the CDTF does for the community.  

COLUMBUS, OH, UNITED STATES

04.30.2019

Story by Staff Sgt. Chad Menegay 

Ohio National Guard Public Affairs

The Ohio National Guard Counterdrug Task Force supported more than 1,800 Ohio teens during the We Are The Majority Rally in downtown Columbus.

The rally featured live music, pizza for the participants, speeches by state leaders, including Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, and a march to the Statehouse. The annual event celebrates Ohio teens leading a drug-free lifestyle, raises awareness about substance misuse and advocates for youth-led prevention.

Counterdrug Task Force (CDTF) members served in a number of supporting roles to make the event successful and generally interacted with the youth in attendance, showcasing that the Ohio National Guard is a drug-free organization and highlighting what the CDTF does for the community. The CDTF is a joint team of about 50 Soldiers and Airmen that works full-time to support the fight on illegal drug use and educate youth on making healthy life choices.

“We’re here to celebrate the majority of teens who are not misusing drugs or any type of tobacco or alcohol,” said Senior Airman Odiamehi Oziegbe, a civil operator with the CDTF.

Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., Ohio adjutant general, was also present to celebrate “the majority,” and he gave them a message of self-empowerment in his speech.

“The only people who will decide if your generation does better than our generation is you,” Harris said. “Trust in you. I believe that out there somewhere is a future governor, that out there is a future F-16 pilot. I believe that our future members of the House of Representatives, of our state Senate, are standing right here. That’s you, and you, the majority, will decide what happens with your generation.”

Empowerment of youth was a major theme at the rally. One motto at the rally was “for us by us,” because the event is planned by Ohio teens.

The event is organized by the Ohio Youth-Led Prevention Network and the OYLPN Youth Council, both of which work year-round to build partnerships between youth and adult allies working in youth empowerment and youth-led drug prevention. It is supported by Prevention Action Alliance, Start Talking and the CDTF.

• Date Taken: 04.30.2019
• Date Posted: 05.02.2019 16:54
• Story ID: 320502
• Location: COLUMBUS, OH, US