The Hennessey Middle and High School had a guest speaker on Wednesday- October 30, 2024, in an assembly for Red Ribbon Week. Gail Box, mother of Austin Box and founder of The Austin Box “12” Foundation, spoke to the students regarding prescription pain medication and how addictive it can be. Austin Box was from Enid, OK, and after graduating high school, he joined the OU football team. He struggled with many injuries: knee, elbow and back. His last injury (a ruptured disc) in his back occurred at the beginning of the 2010 football season. This injury, Gail believes, is what set in motion his abuse of prescription pain medication. Austin died May 19, 2011, from an accidental prescription overdose. Austin’s family started The Austin Box “12” Foundation in his honor, with the mission of educating the public on the dangers of prescription drug abuse. The students were a great audience and very receptive to the message.
“Iron Sharpens Iron As One Man Sharpens Another.” When Austin died, he wore a wristband quoting this scripture from Proverbs 27:17. The Austin Box “12” Foundation has adopted a variation of that idea, “Sharpen Each Other,” as our mission and founding principle. The CDC reports that a death from prescription drug abuse happens every 19 minutes in the United States, more than from car accidents. (austinbox12foundation.com)
If you would like more information regarding The Austin Box “12” Foundation, please visit austinbox12foundation.com AAH, Shelley Muzny
