On February 8, 2023, representatives from the Prince William Regional Adult Detention Center (ADC) and Osbourn High School announced the three winners of a new essay-based scholarship project intended to create greater community awareness by local high school students of the opioid crisis. Stephanie Cruz-Garcia, pictured above, a Junior at OHS, was awarded first prize for her essay and display entitled “Our Time is Now”. The three essay winners along with representatives from the ADC and sponsoring organizations, including the GMVRS and George Mason University’s College of Public Health, taken at OHS is also shown.

In October 2022, the GMVRS Board of Directors became aware of and voted to support the new scholarship project with funding provided by the GMVRS Auxiliary. The ADC was soliciting funds from community organizations in order to provide “grants” to be awarded to students who wrote essays and created visual displays that addressed ways to prevent opioid addiction, its effects on the individual and families, legal consequences and recovery. The ADC pilot project was organized in conjunction with Osbourn High School’s Criminal Justice class, whose instructor, Mr. Derrick Black, publicized it within the school and participated along with the ADC staff to judge the entries.