ORANGE BEACH, Ala. - The city of Orange Beach is sponsoring a town hall discussion with community leaders on how to keep our young people drug free and able to prosper in school and the community.

Tony Kennon, Mayor of Orange Beach felt a need to call this meeting after speaking with parents, teachers and particularly students. The meeting will be at the Orange Beach Community Center on Oct. 24 at 7 p.m.

“These folks were telling me that they feel that illegal drugs are so widely available nowadays to our young people and IT’S NOT OKAY!,’” Kennon said. “Not okay in our schools, not okay in Orange Beach and not okay in Baldwin County. This meeting will bring people together from all parts of the community, to develop innovative ways of creating healthy and drug-free environments for our young people.”

Everyone, from parents and students to Business owners to retirees, are affected by illegal drug usage in our community, Kennon said. Everyone interested in creating and keeping a safe and prosperous Orange Beach, Pleasure Island and Baldwin County is invited to come.

While the meeting’s primary focus is drug awareness, the floor will be open and many other school and young adult topics can be discussed.

Civic leaders, church leaders and law enforcement will be present at the meeting.

“While the Orange Beach Police department do an excellent job of getting the criminals, we all know that stopping the drug use before it ever begins is the smartest and most cost effective way to stop the abuse of drugs and the negative consequences inflicted on our community,” Kennon said.

Studies have shown that some of the most innovative and effective approaches to dealing with adolescent drug and alcohol problems begin at the community level, Kennon said. Change is created or substantially adapted at grassroots initiatives through community partnerships among key stakeholders — parents, community leaders, law enforcement, prevention professionals and educators.

The city urges citizens to join Mayor Kennon for this town hall discussion and let everyone know that IT’S NOT OKAY to do drugs.