DA Quinn, DEA and City of Fall River join forces to bring program to Kuss Middle School students

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III was joined earlier this month by several past and present members of the DEA, DEA Educational Foundation members, Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan and Fall River Police officials at a special educational and athletic event held for each and every student at Kuss Middle School.

The DEA Educational Foundation was thrilled to bring a DEAEF Youth Basketball Program to the students of Kuss Middle School on June 9th, bringing kids a healthy and positive activity and important education about drug prevention. The DEAEF partnered with the DEA New England Division and Bristol County District Attorney Tom Quinn’s Office on the uniting of the DEAEF with Kuss Middle and the educational presentations.

The program consisted of five weeks of basketball, where registered youth participated two times per week in basketball skills training classes under the direction of Coaches Bill Shea and Caleb Hayes and then culminated in a Youth Basketball Program scrimmage between the enrolled students and the staff of Kuss Middle on June 9th. All students were invited to watch the scrimmage school-wide for a drug awareness program and to cheer on their friends and staff. The DEAEF thanks the Administration of Kuss Middle for their support and hard work to make this program happen. The DEAEF looks forward to returning to Kuss Middle School in the fall to continue the basketball program.

Prior to the June 9th scrimmage, Brian O’Keefe of the DEA gave an inspirational talk to all the students of the school about the dangers of drug addiction. O’Keefe spoke openly about his own brother’s struggles with addiction and urged everyone in attendance to take the Red Ribbon Drug Free Pledge. After a highly entertaining scrimmage between students and staff, both DA Quinn and Mayor Coogan addressed the student body and then presented awards to the students who took part in the basketball program.

“I am happy to partner with the DEA Educational Foundation and the City of Fall River to provide opportunities to our youth. This was a very positive and successful program. After school activities that allow the students to participate in sports in a positive way is a great benefit to the community. With students more engaged in these healthy activities, they are less pressured by outside influences that can negatively impact them,” District Attorney Quinn said.

THE DEAEF is a non-profit educational organization established in 2001 whose goal is to educate on the many costs and consequences of illegal drugs in our communities. In 2002, the DEA partnered with the DEAEF to launch its first national travelling exhibit. In 2013 that exhibit was updated and has been seen by more than 22 million students, teachers and parents. Since then, the DEAEF has expanded to a Youth Dance Program, a Youth Baseball Program, a Youth Martial Arts Program and the Youth Basketball Program like the one brought to Kuss Middle School. The foundation also conducts numerous educational seminars throughout the world for corporations and community interest groups to raise awareness about opioids and offer solutions to curb the epidemic our country is facing.

“Overdose deaths are at a record high: over 107 thousand last year, and the sharpest increase are ages 14 and under,” said former DEA Administrator and DEA Educational Foundation Board member Timothy J Shea. “Prevention and education is key to addressing the growing drug abuse problem in Fall River and around the country. We are committed to working with DEA and other law enforcement partners to provide a comprehensive approach to this serious problem. A generation of young Americans is at stake”, said former DEA Administrator and DEA Educational Foundation Board member Timothy J Shea.

For more information on the DEA Educational Foundation, visit www.deaef.org.