Lawson School District Receives Funding to Expand Drug Prevention Programs
The Lawson School District is proud to announce an agreement with the Ray County Commissioners to receive $20,000 in funding to expand drug prevention education and strengthen parent and community awareness programs. This funding comes from opioid settlement funds and is part of a county-wide initiative to enhance substance abuse prevention across all four Ray County school districts.
The district will partner with the Lawson Police Department and the Ray County Sheriff's Office to implement the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program, providing students with lessons on decision-making, understanding the risks of drugs and alcohol, and resisting peer pressure. In addition, a community drug awareness forum will bring together students, families, educators, and law enforcement to learn about substance abuse prevention and local resources.
“The support from the Ray County Commissioners makes it possible for us to expand our programs and strengthen relationships with law enforcement and our community,” said Dr. Stephenson, Superintendent of Lawson School District. “This initiative ensures our students have the knowledge and tools they need to make safe and healthy choices.”
The district plans to launch the expanded programs with the start of the 2026–2027 school year. The Ray County Commission will review the district’s progress in December 2026 to consider continued funding in 2027.