Published: May 03, 2008 11:09 pm      

Spring fling event rewards students for choosing to be drug-free

REVLOC — Ten years ago, Debbie Fowler of Carrolltown opened her son’s bedroom door and found him lying on the floor – dead from a heroin overdose.

Adam Fowler’s death resulted in the formation of Remembering ADAM Inc. – a nonprofit organization founded by his mother to educate children, parents and the community about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse.

On Tuesday, close to 400 high school students from Portage, Cambria Heights, Blacklick Valley, Greater Johnstown, Bishop Carroll, Northern Cambria and Saltsburg school districts will come together at Cambria Township Recreation Park in Revloc for the sixth annual Spring Fling.

Instead of attending classes, students will be rewarded for their yearlong commitment to a healthy lifestyle and for being drug-free.

“It’s a wonderful day, and each year this event grows larger,” Fowler said.

“All of these students come together to celebrate (drug-free) choices.”

Fowler said all of the students involved have been involved in prevention activities throughout the school year.

“It could be SADD clubs or other things, which include tobacco prevention and substance-abuse prevention,” Fowler said.

And of those attending, Fowler said 207 of the students are members of Remembering ADAM volunteer screening program.

“These students volunteer to be randomly drug-screened throughout the school year,” Fowler said.

The screening program is available at Portage, Saltsburg and Blaclick Valley.

Events for the day include a human scavenger hunt, volleyball, softball, basketball and karaoke.

“Each students receives a free T-shirt with a drug-free message, which was designed by a student,” Fowler said.

Students also will receive lunch at the park and will be eligible to win a number of available door prizes.

Additionally, each high school involved with the program will receive a plaque in recognition of their commitment to helping these students stay drug-free.