Sherwood High School senior and MCPS Youth Ambassador Amalia Ahn teaches students about opioids. “It’s really important as a community to talk with other peers,” Ahn said.

Information tables set up by leading students and community members are visited during the event. “It’s important to know that through everything there are people out there who want to help you,” said Praneel Suvarna, 47th Student Member of the Board. “We have multiple tables here full of professionals who either have gone through or want to help people going through it.”

A breakout session discusses the day’s information and feedback. One of the key points brought up was The Good Samaritan law, which protects those who call for help for someone who may be overdosing. “I think the main thing that’s not talked about enough is the Good Samaritan Law,” Sherwood High School senior Amalia Ahn said.

John McCarthy talks to parents of MCPS students. “I’m here to tell you, as the State’s Attorney of Montgomery County, I am giving you immunity,” McCarthy said. “If you are in a situation with a student who has overdosed on drugs, call the authorities, bring the authorities there to save that young person. You may only have a precious few moments to do that, and you will get immunity.”

Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy speaks to a full Walter Johnson auditorium about drug use. “What we’re really trying to do is to educate students as key educators about the dangers of drug abuse in general, but specifically fentanyl,” McCarthy said.

A giant check is written out for the winners of the “2024 Speak Up, Save A Life Video Contest.” This was the second year of the contest, with more entries than last year at 600 video submissions.