West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced artwork by students from central and southeastern West Virginia, who are regional winners of the office’s eighth Kids Kick Opioids contest, were on display at the State Capitol building from Sept. 30 to Oct. 6.
The artwork designs showcasing efforts to raise awareness of opioid abuse were created by Bailey Frame and Jackson Stricker of Clay County Middle School in Clay County; Thomas “Max” Houck, Raegan Bostic, Jayden Dunbar and Tristan Sturdivant of Mountain View Elementary and Middle School in Monroe County; Abigail “Abbie” Markley and Rayna Kerr of Green Bank Elementary and Middle School in Pocahontas County; and Mitchell Koerber, Aubriee Dilley, Harmony Thompson and Kaylah Dowling of Marlinton Middle School in Pocahontas County.
Artwork created by Mallory Koerber from Marlinton Middle School in Pocahontas County, which was selected as the statewide winner, along with statewide runners-up Isabella Swayne from Andrew Jackson Middle School in Kanawha County and Catherine Tirona from St. Joseph the Worker School in Hancock County, will be on display at the Capitol through Nov. 12.
“Many West Virginia families have experienced the heartbreaking realities of opioid dependence, and our aim is that the entries from these artistic students will bring greater awareness and change—these entries really showcase the tremendous talent of our elementary and middle school participants,” Attorney General Morrisey said.
“Our students are seeing firsthand the devastating effects of opioid use disorder because they are growing up in a time when drug abuse is so prevalent,” the Attorney General added. “Our hope is the work of these artistic students will bring greater awareness and change, and touch the minds and hearts of those who view them at the Capitol.”
Koerber’s design also appeared as a public service announcement in newspapers across West Virginia. In addition, entries from Koerber and the state runners-up can be viewed on the Attorney General’s website.
The Attorney General received a total of 2,135 entries from 2,177 students at 71 middle and elementary schools across West Virginia. The submissions included a mix of drawings, poems and other designs aimed at promoting awareness.
Kids Kick Opioids represents one of many initiatives through which the Attorney General has sought to combat West Virginia’s drug overdose death rate, including a lawsuit against the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration that achieved sweeping reforms to the nation’s drug quota system.
The Attorney General also has fought the opioid crisis with civil litigation, multistate initiatives, funding to target opioid abuse, criminal prosecutions, new technology, engagement with the faith-based community and education.
The West Virginia Board of Pharmacy, West Virginia Association of School Nurses and the Capitol Police assisted the Attorney General in judging the public service announcement contest.
