Seneca Valley school resource officer Hunter Ryan talks to a class of eighth graders about the legal system and the impact their decisions have in and outside of school.

When Brian White was hired as superintendent for the Butler School District in August, the school board said it was a priority for the district to combat the opioid crisis, which has hit the Butler area especially hard.

The district has had its share of incidents where students have been caught with illicit drugs on school property, said Nina Teff, school board president.

“It's not just a matter of punishing kids when they do that. We have an obligation to educate the kids before they do it,” Teff said.

As the opioid crisis continues, school districts and authorities across Butler County are increasing counseling, teaching students good decision-making tactics and educating them on the ins and outs of the legal system.

“I don't know that the old adage of 'just say no to drugs' is effective anymore,” Teff said.

Schools rely on in-school curriculum, mandated by the state, in health and science classes as well as outside programs to help with age-appropriate lessons starting in kindergarten.

Eric Ritzert, Karns City superintendent, said as the crisis has grown, education on opioids has increased in many of the district's programs.

At Butler, White said school administrators are reviewing programming this year. Butler and Karns City have participated in the Pennsylvania Youth Survey to guide their efforts in making changes.

The biennial survey is conducted by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency and asks students in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12 to anonymously report their behavior, attitudes and knowledge about alcohol, tobacco, drugs and violence.

In the Allegheny-Clarion Valley School District the curriculum in health classes has not changed, although the number of assemblies has increased to target more students, said Superintendent David McDeavitt. They've also noticed needs in other areas, he said.

“The elementary school counselor has had an increase in students needing individual counseling due to incarcerated parents, overdoses and drug-related family and friend deaths,” McDeavitt said.

Since education on drugs begins early on, students are aware of the dangers of drug use. Schools also talk about making healthy choices as an alternative to using drugs and how the legal system impacts students both in and out of school.

“I bring almost all discussions in health class back around to the importance of decision making, thinking about what we stand for, thinking about what we value,” said Lisa Knappenberger, a Knoch High School health teacher. “I carry that theme into talks about drugs and alcohol.”

Read more about what local schools are doing to fight illegal drug use in Butler County in Sunday's Eagle.