Governor Justice talks to kids about avoiding drugs as part of GameChanger program

MARSHALL COUNTY, W.Va. (WTRF) – Teaching students to avoid the tragedy of addiction was the message Governor Jim Justice and the GameChanger program brought to Marshall County on Tuesday.

The Governor told students gathered at John Marshall High School that he noticed a memorial sticker on a car window one day. He found out it was in memory of a young woman named Amber, who he had coached in high school, who died of fentanyl poisoning the first time she used the drug.

GameChangers premiered a movie for the students called “You Have What It Takes,” about making good choices.

“You know just the wrong decision at the wrong time could absolutely end that opportunity of goodness for maybe 90 years in front of them. And so absolutely we’ve got to make the right choices and we’ve got to show that we love them.”

Gov. Jim Justice, (R-WV)

“And I always said there could be nothing worse than putting your child in the ground. And I had a daughter who was an all state basketball player before the rise of fentanyl, went to college to play basketball and developed a heroin addiction. And if fentanyl were around 13 years ago, we wouldn’t have her. And she’ll tell you that. She’s been 13 years clean now.”

Joe Boczek, Founder and Executive Director, GameChanger

The event was not only about the serious message of GameChangers. It was also the celebration of Babydog’s 5th birthday!

The governor’s beloved bulldog was the hit of the day. Students cheered, chanted her name, gave her birthday presents and each got to come up and pet her.

The governor said Babydog is nothing but love, and he said the world would be a better place if we all took that message to heart.

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