ERLANGER – Diana O’Toole has committed her career to healthy living.
For O’Toole, the new Kenton County Alliance coordinator, the key to healthy living is early education about drug and substance abuse.
“We have to meet this generation with education to prevent them from even trying drugs,” she said.
According to O’Toole, drug abuse destroys lives – of the addict, their family, even young children.
“The drug and substance abuse epidemic affects everyone,” she said. “We all know someone…”
O’Toole, who has also been a sixth-grade and special education teacher, said that students need to be taught the dangers of substance abuse early on in life.
“Parents are one of the most important role models in a child’s life,” she said. “However, another major influence on children is their school. That is the reason that we feel it is so important to be a positive example and to educate kids about substance abuse and its consequences.”
“Prevention is much easier than treating addiction,” she said.
As coordinator of the Alliance, O’Toole works with schools throughout the Kenton County, Erlanger-Elsmere and Beechwood districts. She works closely with students and teachers on prevention education.
The Alliance is a substance abuse prevention coalition that works to support drug-free lifestyles among youth. The organization, open to community members, meets noon the first Tuesday of the month.
Previously O’Toole has served as the director of the Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) Grant, which served four districts for the past four years. The PEP grant focused on physical fitness and nutrition.
Burkhardt said that being the Alliance coordinator is a “natural fit” for O’Toole.
“(The position) is very much related to overall health and well-being goals she’s worked toward in her previous role with the PEP Grant,” she said. “Ms. O’Toole is a knowledgeable leader who is dedicated to helping others. She has become a trusted and respected leader in our school district and the local community.”
Text for help
Most recently, the Kenton County Alliance has partnered with the Crisis Text Line. The Crisis Text Line offers free 24/7 support for those in any type of crisis. Text “HOME” to 741741 and you’ll be put in touch with a live, trained crisis counselor who will respond via text.
