Area TADA (Teens Against Drugs and Alcohol) students traveled to the Capitol in Des Moines to participate in Prevention on the Hill 2020 on Feb. 10.

Over 100 youth from across Iowa participated along with five West Delaware students: Peyton Hass (11), Murphy Oakleaf (11), Cayleigh Painter (10), Angga Putra (11), and Rachel Wenger (10).

Students met with Lee Hein, Iowa Representative, and Dan Zumbach, Iowa Senator, to discuss the legislation of drug, vaping and alcohol issues. 

TADA adviser Kathy Naughton has taken students to this event for the past four years. “Prevention on the Hill gives students a unique opportunity to experience the process of calling-out their representatives in the Capitol and to see firsthand how the process of law-making works,” Naughton said. 

Naughton feels youth advocacy has often been helpful in changing legislation. “It was youth bringing forward the issue of the ease of obtaining alcohol that led to the passage of Iowa’s Keg Law,” Naughton said. “Prevention on the Hill provides an opportunity for that youth voice to be heard.”