DeComo Honored by Congressman for Drug Prevention Message

by Jonathan Weaver

A local district judge’s crusade against the regional drug epidemic has received high praise from an elected official.

Monday, Magisterial District Judge J. Gary DeComo was honored by U.S. Congressman Mike Kelly (R-Butler) and ACMH CEO John Lewis with a “Community Champion Award” during an approximately-30 minute ceremony outside the ACMH Hospital main hospital entrance in East Franklin Township.

Congressman Mike Kelly (R-Butler) honored Judge DeComo on the influential Drugs Kill Dreams campaign and called him “an absolute inspiration” in the official U.S. House of Representatives Congressional Record dated Thursday, June 16.

“A couple years ago, the idea that we would have a “community champion” was something we thought was really important – just think about everyday people that do extraordinary things in their communities. It’s not just one; it’s a whole group of folks that make every place special,” Kelly said.

“Judge DeComo has done something that just makes sense: something that serves every single person, something that makes our community stronger, something that makes us look to the future and say ‘There (are) people out there who get it, people out there willing to make a difference, people out there willing to try things people haven’t tried before.’”

Judge DeComo recalled how he was first inspired to begin the Drugs Kill Dreams program when he took office in 1994.

“Within two months, a 13-year-old girl came to court for underage drinking. She drank vodka every day before she got on the school bus,” DeComo said. “At the time I talked to some drug prevention experts at ARC Manor and I found what everyone else knows: the earlier you use alcohol, there’s a greater risk of addiction.”

Before the program took off in 2000 with the help of the Manor Township Lions Club, Judge DeComo started by visiting local schools to give the anti-drug message and still does so today.

He said the program’s 15 year anniversary marks not the culmination of the program, but just the beginning, pledging new community efforts in schools during the upcoming school year.

“We’re going to move forward because we have to move forward,” DeComo said. “Addiction is taking a toll on our families, the criminal justice system and our economy.”

Kelly said Drugs Kill Dreams has flourished thanks to collaborations with local schools, law enforcement agencies and groups like ACMH and asked for individuals to pledge more local support.

“Although the program continues to be modified and altered appropriately, Judge DeComo’s sincere passion for this initiative remains the same, and I think that’s the key: he’s never stopped. His heart’s never wavered,” Kelly said. “And even though sometimes we look at this and say ‘We can’t possibly win,’ he’s the guy that says ‘We can’t possibly allow us to lose.’”

DeComo also thanked those community leaders that have worked with him to further the drug prevention message.

“I’ve always received total countywide cooperation for the Drugs Kill Dreams program, so I sincerely believe our county is the real ‘champion’ today because drug prevention is a team effort and has to be a team effort to be successful,” DeComo said.

Lewis referred to Judge DeComo as a “staunch champion” in the battle against heroin and opioid drug use “with a passion I have never seen the likes of.”

“His endeavors to bring awareness to the drug problem in this country are beyond description,” Lewis said.

Freeport Area High School Guidance Counselor Nina Fulton has not only invited Judge DeComo to speak at the school, but knows the devastating effects of drug use personally following the death of her younger brother, Ian.

“I drove home from college, and when I pulled into my driveway, I instantly knew something horrible had happened: Ian had passed away from a heroin overdose,” Fulton said.

Ian, who was interested in pursuing culinary arts, died at the age of 19 on December 16, 2003. According to Fulton, police detectives thought Ian was introduced to heroin that night even though there were no previous signs of drug use.

Fulton now speaks in Judge DeComo’s drug prevention videos, and hopes to have him return to the school to talk to students this upcoming year.

“I believe it’s everyone’s responsibility to be proactive in educating and warning young adults of not only how addictive heroin and other drugs are, but how deadly they can be,” Fulton said. “I commend Judge DeComo for his effort and passion in delivering this message to the students and communities of Armstrong County.”

Drugs Kill Dreams Jail Experience Coordinator Debby Fazekas was one of the about-75 community supporters at yesterday’s ceremony congratulating Judge DeComo.

“I’m so thrilled for him,” Fazekas said. “Gary has been just awesome to work with – what wonderful people we have in this community!

Armstrong County Jail Warden Phillip Shaffer also reiterated his support. The next Jail Experience is scheduled for July 12.

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