Cornell is the latest local school district to take an extra step in the fight against drugs.

The district is among 16 Allegheny County districts, including Moon Area, to join the Northern Area Alliance Against Highly Addictive Drugs.

As part of its membership with the alliance, Cornell will present a parent/adult community member town hall meeting from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22, Cornell's auditorium.

Featured will be a video presentation and a panel discussion. Light refreshments will be served.

Speakers from the district attorney's office will talk to parents about how to recognize if their son or daughter is using drugs, and parents will learn more about the network of resources available to them.

Cornell joined the alliance January. Membership fee was $1,000, which covers speakers, curriculum materials, Web resources and more.

"Substance abuse is the number one health problem in our country," Donna Belas, building principal, said.

"Cornell School District hopes to form a partnership with parents in order to assist the youth of Coraopolis and Neville Island in making responsible decisions when faced with decisions regarding drug and alcohol abuse."

In addition to the town meeting, Cornell also sponsored a seventh-grade poster contest with the theme "How Can I Help Stay Alcohol and Drug Free?"

Poster contest winners are Jessica Carroll, first; Dylan Wallace, second; and Marissa Fiedler, third. Honorable mention winners were Courtney Holloway and Jaley Ashner.

In Moon Area School District, there were 294 entries. Winners in order were Mara Willette, Sarah Michelbrink, Cassandra Colorossi, Anna Zenkova and Bianca Bisengna.

A total of 2,552 posters from the area were submitted for the contest. The top three winners from each school district will attend a lunch with Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on June 7.

Final judging of the top three winners from every school also will take place at a luncheon.

The grand prize winner's poster is used on calendars and more.

For more information, log onto www.drug-alliance.org.