We have dedicated copious space on this page to the opioid epidemic in Butler County, from editorials regarding the number of pregnant women using the drugs in Butler County to pieces congratulating the region for its recent drop in the number of opioid-related deaths.

One of the best ways to combat such an epidemic is to get out ahead of it, and a local school district is doing just that through a program that teaches students how to apply for grant money and focuses on such issues as addiction, depression, homelessness and abuse.

By now we all realize there is no magic remedy, no single approach to eradicate this demon. We must battle on from multiple fronts. When a new front shows signs of progress, we need to celebrate it.

We think the Karns City School District’s mini-grant program, which is operated by the staff in the drug and alcohol program at Butler County Human Services, is worthy of such celebration. It’s a great idea.

According to JAMA, a journal published by the American Medical Association, the death rate among children and teens from prescription and illegally manufactured opiates has increased 268 percent over the past 20 years. In 2017, drug overdose deaths in the United States hit the highest level ever recorded at 200 people dying every day and Pennsylvania was found to be among the four states hardest hit by overdoses.

Under Karns City’s program, students in the high school’s entrepreneurship class are given the opportunity to come up with ideas to curb such problems as student addiction, apply for grants and carry out their ideas if their project is selected. Funding for winning projects comes from a state Human Services Block Grant that Butler County has received for the past seven years.

Students in the program chose drug abuse as a problem to tackle. “We wanted to work on the opioid epidemic,” said Luke Rottman, an 18-year-old senior from East Brady. “Even we’re noticing it. It’s really bad.”

Recently, the students gathered in the gym to present findings to their peers regarding drug use statistics, populations most affected by the epidemic and the effects of opioid use. The students also discussed other important topics, such as suicide and depression.

Beth Ehrenfried-Neveux, who supervises the county’s drug and alcohol program, said there is “a lot of money for treatment, but there’s not a lot for prevention.” Although education is only a part of the solution to preventing young people from abusing opioids and other drugs, it’s an integral part that can save numerous lives and a significant amount of money that would go toward treating addiction.

The Karns City School District deserves praise for being involved in the fight against opioid addiction, but also for getting students to take on other serious issues that youths face, such as depression, and teaching them about grant writing in the process. This program is a win-win for all involved.