As of noon Thursday, April 28, four schools are leading the Roanoke Area Youth Substance Abuse Coalition‘s Facebook challenge “Drop the Pills Before they Kill”: James River, Lord Botetourt, North Cross, and Cave Spring.

The challenge continues through this Saturday, April 30, and the winning school will be announced Monday morning, May 2.

Each participating school has a post on the page each day. The school with the most “likes,” calculated proportionately based on enrollment, wins $500.

Additionally, kids that leave comments about prescription drug abuse are entered in daily contests for gift cards and other prizes.

Salem, Glenvar, Lord Botetourt, James River, Cave Spring, Hidden Valley, Community School, Patrick Henry, William Fleming, Faith Christian, Roanoke Valley Christian, North Cross, Roanoke Catholic School and Parkway Christian Academy high schools are all participating.

***This Saturday, April 30 is the DEA’s National Drug Take Back day.

Safe disposal of prescription medication is offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Salem Police Department, The Roanoke Civic Center, the Tanglewood Kroger, and at the Daleville Kroger. Click here for more information.

–Miranda Beck, special to The Botetourt View.