‘GameChanger’ drug prevention program nets national humanitarian award

MORGANTOWN - Joe Boczek and the team driving GameChanger, the drug abuse prevention and awareness program geared to Mountain State youth, did something last week that they normally don't do.

They relaxed. And enjoyed their moment.

But it was fleeting.

GameChanger this past Thursday in Maryland was recognized with the Maj. Gen. Arthur T. Dean Award from the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America.

The Dean Award is the organization's loftiest honor for those digging in against the scourge of substance use in the nation.

Boczek, a Morgantown businessman and former West Virginia University sports information director, founded GameChanger in 2018.

For him, it was personal.

He had watched someone he loves - a close family member - almost die from the throes of addiction.

Which is a grim backdrop for West Virginia and the rest of the nation.

How grim?

Set the stopwatch feature on your phone.

Right now, the executive director said.

Then keep a keen eye, he said, as the seconds and minutes mount.

Every increment marked, Boczek said, is a life forever lost.

And a family, forever changed.

That's because every five minutes in America - that's five minutes of every hour of every day - someone dies of a drug overdose.

Your son.

Your daughter.

Your girlfriend, your boyfriend, your mom, your dad and that chatty person at the drive-through who automatically knew your coffee order every morning.

GameChanger this past summer reached a milestone, in the meanwhile.

Boczek was able to report then that the program has landed in more than 200 schools across the Mountain State region since its first days - while reaching 225,000 students or better, as it continues to batten down with its mission.

Notable West Virginians from Nick Saban to Jennifer Garner have lent their celebrity to GameChanger over the years.

In Maryland, Boczek put forth his gratitude on a big stage - also thanking all the prevention specialists, educators, volunteers, outreach professionals and Ph.D. consultants who are making GameChanger happen daily, as he emphasized, in all those classrooms, homerooms and hallways.

"This award belongs to every member of our great team," he said.

"Without them, there is no way GameChanger would even exist," Boczek said.

"I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to every one of them. While we are humbled and deeply grateful, we'll use this recognition as an impetus to continue the hard work necessary."

West Virginia University President Michael T. Benson got to share that stage and make remarks also.

The prevention program has linked up with WVU and Marshall for its "GameChanger University" effort.

"I am proud we have a partnership," Benson said.

"Everyone in GameChanger has worked tirelessly to bring the highest-quality, evidence-based and evidence-informed prevention programs to children and youth," the president continued.

Critically acclaimed documentary films and other teaching programs that are also part of that mission caught the eye and ear of Barrye L. Price - the retired Army general who is president and CEO of CADCA.

GameChanger, the decorated officer said, deserved commendation of its own.

"It is clear why they were chosen for our highest honor," Price said of the coalition which has chapters in all 50 U.S. states and more than 7,000 countries abroad.

"Joe Boczek and his team are demonstrating what prevention can accomplish, and we are proud to stand alongside them."