DFC’s Jerria Martin earns state commendations

As the leader of Drug Free Communities of Dallas County, Jerria Martin’s job is to promote a drug-free lifestyle to the youth in Dallas County. Her hard work teaching kids to stay off drugs has been noticed by some high-ranking state and state officials who have given her commendations for her efforts.

In the last month, Martin has received commendations from State Auditor Jim Ziegler, State Treasurer Young Boozer, Secretary of State John Merrill and Gov. Kay Ivey acknowledging the good work she is doing in Dallas County.

“It came out of nowhere. It’s like, just when you think nobody is watching and the work you are doing is going unnoticed, you never know who is watching out there and is inspired by you.”

The kids that are part of her organization spreading the drug free word in the schools to the other kids are called Hope Dealers. "Every year the hope dealers do a tour of the state capitol. They get to see the legislators, the House and the Senate,” Martin explained. “And every year we have the tour by the same guy, (Aroine) Irby.” Irby is with the Alabama Historical Commission.

Irby is a fan of Martin’s and what she is doing. “In 2016, the first time we took the hope dealers there, Mr. Irby recognized my voice from The Hope Show and ever since that day he became a diehard fan of the hope dealers,” Martin said. And it was Irby who paved the way for Martin to receive the commendations.

Martin said Irby began keeping up with the accomplishments and acknowledgments that Drug Free Communities of Dallas County and the Hope Dealers were getting from many dignitaries, including the First Lady of the United States.

“He would go back and share that news with everyone in the capitol, he shared with the governor, he shared with the Secretary of State and his other friends there.” And over time these state dignitaries were so impressed, they decided it was time for them to acknowledge Martin and the Drug Free Communities of Dallas County.

Martin said she is humbled by the commendations and is very appreciative. “It’s crazy because the only time I’ve seen something like this is when somebody died, and someone comes and reads it. I’m usually the one at the funeral that reads those proclamations.”