Bridgeport High School Police Resource Officer Jamie Hamrick estimates that nearly 100 former BHS students have either been incarcerated, died or are in a rehabilitation center for the use of drugs and alcohol.  Because these vices don’t discriminate, the annual Prom Promise Assembly is one of the most important presentations given each year to juniors and seniors preparing for their last formal affair in high school.

 

Pruntytown Correctional Center Unit Manager, Robert Murphy and Substance Abuse Therapist Megan Minnix introduced four men who are currently serving time for crimes related to drugs and alcohol abuse.  Their true stories were detailed to the junior and senior class, outlining the decisions they made that led to their incarceration.

 

A common thread in the men’s testimonies was the toll their decisions had made on their families.  The consequences of deciding to drink or use drugs impacted the lives of their parents, children, friends and those killed as a result of drinking and driving.

 

“The program raises awareness of the epidemic of drug and alcohol abuse that often starts in the teen years,” said Hamrick.  “By hosting this presentation directly before prom, we hope to empower students to make healthy decisions and provide resources for them if they need to ask for help.”

 

This was the second year that Joshua Brown spoke to the student body of Bridgeport High School.

 

“In three minutes, I lost everything,” he said, as he recounted his accident that killed another man.  Because alcohol was legal, he did not anticipate the impact it would have on his life.  “I can never give that man back his life or his family back their loved one.”

 

Prisoner Jamar McDonald said that he was sitting in a similar assembly a few years ago and he urged the students to listen and take it seriously.  His decision to use drugs led to losing his college career, his family and his job.

 

“When you can stop, you don’t want to and when you want to stop, you can’t,” he told the students.  “Right now my mother is dying of cancer and my daughter is being raised without me.  I am in a place you don’t want to be. I am a burden.  You all have a chance to make your family proud, to put a smile on their faces at prom.  Take that chance and make good decisions.”

 

Terry Guthrie told a story that is all too common.  He was prescribed pain pills after an accident which broke his jaw.  Soon, he wanted stronger and stronger pain relief, which led to charges of possession and robbery and eventually led to him using heroin. 

 

“Ask for help,” he said.  “Get a safe ride, talk to your parents, do the right thing,” he urged the students.  “The life of the party ends up in a khaki uniform with a life regrets.  We want to see you guys prosper, to be safer because of you.”

 

Students were shocked to hear that the prisoners had first tried drugs or alcohol in middle school.  They asked questions about the details of prison life, the impact of the crimes on their families and what their plans are once they re-enter the community. 

 

“There are so many temptations out there,” said Brown.  “When I get out, I want to help educate others about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.  I want to make something positive of my life and be a good example of how someone can learn a lesson and succeed even after making a terrible mistake.  I want to share resources and get a conversation going so people feel comfortable asking for help.”

 

Prom will take place on Saturday, May 5 at the Bridgeport Conference Center with After-Prom taking place at Buffalo Wild Wings.  Referring to drug and alcohol statistics of BHS, Hamrick added, “Use prom to have fun and be safe.  Don’t add to our total who have been negatively affected by bad decisions.”