Birds of prey help Eagle Watch spread anti-drug message

The Akwesasne Eagle Watch anti-drug/anti-oxy group recruited some help from real birds last week to help them spread the message that drugs, particularly Oxycontin, can have devastating effects.

The group, formerly called the Akwesasne Oxycontin Task Force, invited Jonathan Wood of The Raptor Project to bring his birds of prey to the St. Regis Mohawk School. The event, held Saturday with two showtimes, was open to the community for free and Wood incorporated an anti-drug message into his bird presentation.

Wood developed a fascination with birds at the age of 8 and by age 12 he was handling falcons and raising them, which in turn lead to a career in learning about birds and sharing his knowledge with others. He brought several birds to the St. Regis Mohawk School where guests learned some incredible facts about them. Wood even had several baby birds with him which his daughter helps him raise. Many of Wood’s birds were injured or rescued and some, like his American Bald Eagle, are no longer able to fly. So, they travel around the country with Wood and teach people everywhere the significance of large birds.

Wood’s presentation included a few anti-drug messages, including a story he shared about a young girl he knew as a child who started out on the same path as he did, but succumbed to a life of drug abuse instead and died at an early age. Wood’s stories about his own career and ambition also reinforced a drug-free lifestyle and encouraged the youth to direct their passions to hobbies and healthy activities instead of drug abuse.

The Akwesasne Eagle Watch formed this spring and they’ve held several events and numerous meetings to spread awareness about the dangers of Oxycontin abuse. They meet every Wednesday evening at the St. Regis Mohawk Senior’s Center - Tsi Tetewatatkens - unless otherwise announced.