By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Judy Steiner has spent her career empowering students.
As the new coordinator of the Drug-Free Community Grant Program at Wood County Educational Service Center, Steiner is now using those skills to prevent youth substance abuse.
Her career path began as an elementary teacher, then principal, then teaching at the higher education level. Most recently, she was the gifted coordinator at Maumee City Schools.
“I have felt like in my career I have always wanted to empower students, teachers and families,” Steiner said.
After taking over the position previously held by Milan Karna, Steiner is focusing her efforts on preventing drug and alcohol abuse, and gaming addictions among local youth.
“Now I’ll be digging deeper,” she said. “And hopefully making a difference in the community.”
One of her first steps will be developing relationships in the community, to help tackle issues of behavioral health, substance abuse and other issues experienced by students.
A survey of students throughout the county every other year has shown that local students are vaping more, smoking marijuana more, plus drinking alcohol and caffeinated energy drinks more.
“A lot of kids don’t realize there is nicotine in vaping,” Steiner said.
And most don’t realize the impact of nicotine, marijuana and alcohol on developing brains.
“Based on that data, that’s where we’re focusing our efforts,” she said.
Steiner will also be using a grant received by WCESC to work on problem gambling. Online gaming has become increasingly popular among youth, she said.
“It’s almost grooming our kids to gamble later in life,” she said.
And Steiner will continue the efforts to hold drug take-back events and restock Deterra drug pouches in the community. The zip-lock pouches safely deactivate drugs.
“Half of all opioid use is prescription meds,” she said. “If we take that out of circulation, that will help.”
