"Shoot Hoops, Not Drugs" summer basketball camps offer rural Kentucky students the necessary skills to help prevent drug misuse and abuse
BALTIMORE, June 10, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — AmeritoxSM, a national leader in medication monitoring solutions, will sponsor for the third consecutive year a series of basketball camps organized by Kentucky-based Operation UNITE. The camps are headed by former University of Kentucky basketball stars who teach basketball skills that also incorporate anti-drug messages aimed at boosting students' self-worth.
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"By hosting these basketball camps for more than a decade, Operation UNITE has helped instill Eastern Kentucky youth with the self-esteem needed to steer clear of the prescription drug abuse that has devastated their community," said Scott Walton, Ameritox CEO. "Ameritox is proud to sponsor these camps, because like Operation UNITE, we know that this epidemic can only be stopped by preventing the next generation from succumbing to opioid misuse and abuse."
Operation UNITE was created by Kentucky Congressman Hal Rogers in 2003 to bring together government, law enforcement and businesses in fighting Kentucky's rampant drug problems. The camps were created to foster strong deterrents for drug abuse in school-aged children.
Ameritox employees will provide support to Operation UNITE staff at the camps.
"We're grateful to once again have Ameritox's generous support, but we're even more grateful that they continue to fight alongside us in the battle to prevent our kids from traveling down the frightening path of drug abuse," said Nancy Hale, CEO of Operation UNITE.
The five free 2016 camps will be led by former University of Kentucky Final Four MVP Jeff Sheppard. All-SEC Academic Team member Jarrod Polson will join Sheppard for the last three camps. The dates and locations of the camps are:
- Tuesday, June 14 – Warfield Middle School, Warfield, Martin County
- Thursday, June 16 – Owsley County High School, Booneville
- Monday, June 20 – Morgan County High School, West Liberty
- Tuesday, June 21 – Rodney C. Woods Gym, Wayne County Schools Campus, Monticello
- Thursday, June 23 – Knott County Sportsplex, 450 Kenny Champion Loop, Leburn
About Ameritox
Ameritox helped pioneer the prescription drug monitoring necessary to address the national epidemic of prescription drug misuse, abuse and diversion. As a trusted leader in medication monitoring, Ameritox provides medical and business professionals with health care solutions that can help improve patient care and prevent tragedy. Ameritox, headquartered in Baltimore, Md., has laboratory facilities in Greensboro, N.C.
Visit the Ameritox website at: http://www.ameritox.com
Follow Ameritox on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ameritox
About Operation UNITE
Operation UNITE, which stands for Unlawful Narcotics Investigations, Treatment & Education, seeks to fight the drug epidemic by expanding drug awareness and education programs to keep people from using drugs; coordinating drug treatment and outreach programs for those who are already addicted; and operating regional undercover law enforcement task forces for interdiction and prosecution of those dealing drugs.
Visit the UNITE website at: www.operationunite.org
Lon Wagner
Ameritox
(336) 387-7742
Email