Third and fourth graders at Conkwright Elementary School pledged to be drug-free Tuesday afternoon.

Eastern Kentucky University students in the baccalaureate and graduate nursing program spoke with third and fourth graders at Conkwright Elementary School about the dangers of drug abuse, and urged students to take the pledge.

Nursing students performed a skit in front of students and then separated into groups for a game of bingo in which students answered true or false questions about drug abuse.

Pat Woods, an associate professor in the nursing program at EKU, said the nursing students were teaching the students to say no to drugs as part of a community public health project seniors must complete prior to graduation.

Woods said the project is based on an assessment that recognizes top health priorities in the community. In Clark County, the top health issue was drug abuse.

Woods said it’s important for elementary students to learn not to succumb to peer pressure and that taking drugs isn’t “cool.” She said students will eventually be exposed to drug usage one way or another.

“We’re preparing them for the future,” Woods said.

Conkwright school nurse Sharon Auclerc said for some students, this is their reality. Some students have family members or are exposed to drug usage outside of school, she said.

“They need to be aware that that is not OK,” Auclerc said.

Auclerc said the learning session was meant to be a fun way to get across a serious topic.

“We wanted to stress the fact that you can do this one time and not live,” she said.