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M.A.D.E. Drug Free Clubs of America Adding Jackson, Pike & Vinton County Schools

The 2018 M.A.D.E. Rally in front of the Ross County Court House Photo by Dan Ramey/Litter Media

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The M.A.D.E. (My Attitude Determines Everything) Drug Free Clubs of America program is expanding into schools in Jackson, Pike and Vinton Counties.

The announcement came Tuesday on The Buck Fifty Facebook Page in a video by Race Director Dave Huggins. Funds raised through race entries for The Buck Fifty, sponsorships and other donations fund the program throughout the year.

Established in 2015 as a way to combat the drug epidemic affecting Southern Ohio’s communities, M.A.D.E. took hold in Ross County schools during the 2016-17 school year. Participants sign up with a commitment to voluntary drug testing. In return, the hope is the students stay drug free while receiving perks for their pledge.

“When we started to understand the drug epidemic that was facing our community, we needed to find a way to get in front if that” Huggins explained in the video. “Our Rotary Club reached out to (Cincinnati based) Drug Free Clubs of America and started eight chapters.”

Adding the schools from Jackson, Pike and Vinton Counties will bring the total to 17 school districts participating in the program, which Huggins estimates an additional $100,000 will be needed to continue to fund the program annually.

The 150 mile race is April 22-23, 2022 on the roadways and trails of Ross County. Huggins will join Litter Media next week to discuss more about The Buck Fifty 2022.

Dave Huggins, Race Director for The Buck Fifty making the announcement of expanding the program to 17 schools across Southern Ohio. Click on the image to see the announcement in its entirety on The Buck Fifty Facebook Page.