One pill can kill. Four words that together form a simple, yet powerful message.

 

It served as the focus for the GameChanger Tailgate Extravaganza held this evening at The Bridge Sports Complex in Bridgeport. While a large crowd was on hand to take advantage of the fun, food, activities and fireworks, the goal to get them in attendance was to hear the message of a new phase of GameChanger.

 

“Operation Prevention: One Pill Can Kill.”

 

Joe Boczek, one of the founders and the executive director of GameChanger, said the event at Bridgeport is no small thing. Not only is it highlighting the organization’s Operation Prevention that is done in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA – that has the One Pill Can Kill campaign), but it celebrates GameChangers expansion beyond school districts and going into the sports complex/community center space.

 

The Bridge Sports Complex is the first on the list to bring GameChanger’s message to a sports facility’s space.

 

“This is huge on multiple fronts,” said Boczek. “It’s kicking the lid off of Operation Prevention and being involved with (The Bridge).”

 

GameChanger began in 2019 in the aftermath of an Opioid Awareness Summit that was held at the West Virginia University Coliseum and the Henderson Center on the campus of Marshall University.

 

“There were about 8,000 kids there and it was livestreamed to about 150,000,” said Boczek. “We came up with the GameChanger concept after the summit.”

 

The mission of GameChanger is simple. It is to educate the community about pursuing healthy, drug-free lifestyles. In light of the drug problems ravaging West Virginia, and the nation, it is a needed program and one that has seen equity put in by the business community, the state, and the education system, among others.

 

A big part of getting that message out this evening was the appearance of Ryan Leaf. Leaf was a second pick in the 1998 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers. He was signed to a four-year contract worth $31.25 million.

 

Unfortunately, he never lived up to the hype due to lack of production and a wrist injury and was out of the league four years later. It was only the beginning of his problems.

 

After his career, a spiral of drug abuse began in a story well documented that saw him go from a millionaire in the NFL to a thief looking for a way to get high. The use was bad enough he ended up prison, but Leaf has made sure the story did not end with unpleasant post-NFL chapters.

 

In recent years, Leaf has become a spokesperson for those struggling with addiction. And he was happy to deliver that message to the audience this evening.

 

Boczek said having programs such as the one introduced this evening is important. He said the event will be filmed and from everything involved a 45-minute CD will be produced and given to children to be watched with parents and guardians.

 

“Being able to do this is important because with the GameChanger curriculum in schools you are looking at a longer process that will take years to see major results,” said Boczek of the program’s involvement in all levels of the school system.

 

Getting the programs going full steam is critical in the Mountain State. According to GameChanger, West Virginia currently leads the nation in opioid deaths, with 42 out of 100,000 residents dying annually from drug overdoses, 82 percent of which involve opioids.

 

As a partner, The Bridge will be a facility used to assist in breaking the cycle of addiction and preventing young people from turning to illicit substances.

 

Editor's Note: Top two photos shows some of the activities taking place at The Bridge this evening, while third photo shows Ryan Leaf, back row middle, stands with officials involved in making Friday's event a possibility. Bottom photo shows Leaf addressing those gathered.