Student-drawn billboard raises drug awareness

There is a rash of opioid and drug problems sweeping the nation. 

So to bring awareness to this problem, a Perryville organization is taking it into its own hands.

The Coalition for Heroin and Opioid Prevention (CHOP) hosted a billboard design contest open to all high school students in Perry County in November. 

The two best designs were chosen in December with those drawings being the center of the theme of the billboard.

The winners of the billboard contest were St. Vincent High School junior Autumn Schumer with her submission of the Grim Reaper, and St. Vincent freshman Claire Deterding with a submission of her stop sign-themed poster.

On Feb. 26, the billboard was raised to its spot on US 61 near Doerr St.  

According to Cindy Blacklidge, CHOP Board President, the coalition decided this was a unique way to involve students and raise awareness of the opioid crisis that is facing the community. 

Blacklidge says there are enough funds available for the billboard to be displayed for two months from the generous donations received from the community partners.  

The winners of the billboard contest will be recognized during the Junior/Senior Conference on March 27 at the Perry Park Center.  

They will each receive a $25 dollar gift card and a poster-sized copy of their artwork.  

The CHOP organization was established in 2017 by community agencies who serve Perry County and had a passion for educating the public on the growing crisis of heroin and opioid addiction within our community.  These organizations found they are the ones who often interact with addicts or the families of addicts.  

Not only does the coalition provide education, they provide a network of resources to support both the person with an addiction and the families who are trying to cope with their loved one’s addiction.

The donors are Ronald Hohenadel DMD LLC,  Independence Health System, Inc., Laverne Schaefer, Citizen Electric Corporation, Young & Sons Funeral Home, The Webb Law Firm, Stephen Carron DDS, LLC, Galati’s Ristorante, Zahner & Associates, and Hall of Fame Trophies & Awards.  

Anyone who would like to assist the Coalition in extending the time the billboard is displayed, please contact New Life Mission Inn at (573) 513-2918 to make your tax deductible donation.