NORWICH – Students at Norwich Middle School (NMS) completed the final of four educational sessions facilitated by Chenango County District Attorney Joseph A. McBride on Wednesday, May 31, as part of NMS's efforts to foster awareness on illegal substance use and abuse.

McBride was joined by Assistant District Attorney Laura Parker and Norwich Police Detective Sergeant Reuben Roach at the session to help provide students an opportunity to have their questions answered and learn about the harmful impact of illegal drug use and abuse – both in the courtroom and in the human body.

“It was a great opportunity for the District Attorneys and the Norwich Police Department to work with today's youth and to talk about the serious consequences of drug use,” said Detective Sergeant Roach. “With the current heroin epidemic and the insurgents of methamphetamine, it is important to educate our young adults about these drugs and what other drugs can do.”

According to McBride, the program's highlight was when Roach displayed sealed examples of various harmful drugs to NMS students, who subsequently had an opportunity to query Roach throughout and learn what to do if they cross paths with these substances on the streets.