PREVENTION COUNCIL IMPLEMENTS STATE GRANT FOR DRUG AND ALCOHOL AWARENESS PROGRAMS IN DELAWARE COUNTY
The Delaware County Prevention Council (DCPC) is launching a program to educate and encourage residents to make positive choices about drugs and alcohol. All of the programs are free of charge for participants. One of the components focuses on school-age children and high school students, another on parents and the third on senior education. A portion of the outreach is a media campaign targeting schools by using posters and public service announcements.
“We know we have a severe substance abuse problem here,” said Pat Hart, DCPC executive director. “A large part of this outreach is designed to reach school-age children so they can make informed decisions later in life, and to help parents steer their children in the right direction. We have programs beginning this spring, and again this fall. Schools and organizations can sign up for the fall or get additional information by contacting DCPC at 765-282-7988. We are excited to offer this opportunity to our community,” said Hart.
The programs are:
- Too Good for Drugs (TGFD). A school-based, evidence-based prevention program. DCPC is offering the program especially geared for grade school levels three – eight. TGFD focuses on developing personal and interpersonal skills to resist peer pressures, goal setting, decision making, bonding with others, have respect for self and others, managing emotions, effective community and social interaction. The program also provides information about the negative consequences of drug use and the benefits of a non-violent, drug-free lifestyle. The program consists of 10 sessions, which are 40-50 minutes in length.
- Too Good for Drugs (TGFD) High School level applies developmentally appropriate activities in an interactive, student driven format to build and reinforce essential social skills to include how to: set reachable goals; make responsible decisions; and resist negative influence.
- Guiding Good Choices (GGC) is an evidence-based prevention program suited for the parents of children in grades four through eight (nine to 14 years old). It provides the knowledge and skills needed to help parents guide their children through early adolescence. It seeks to strengthen and clarify family expectations for behavior, enhance the conditions that promote bonding within the family and teach skills that allow children to resist drug use successfully. This is a five-session curriculum (two hours each) that addresses preventing substance abuse in the family, setting clear family expectations regarding drugs and alcohol, avoiding trouble, managing family conflict and strengthening family bonds. Children ae required to attend one session that teaches peer resistance skills. Sessions are interactive and can be held at churches, community centers and other site.
- Wellness Initiatives for Senior Education (WISE) is a curriculum-based health education program that offers six lessons that cover a wide range of topics. The sessions aim to help those 55 or older increase their knowledge and awareness of issues related to health and the aging process. Topics include discussion of risk factors and behaviors you should avoid to stay healthy. Examine how alcohol, prescription medication and over-the counter medications affect seniors differently and how you can avoid problems. Join this fun program and celebrate this exciting state of life and the benefits that come with it. This program is suitable for the YMCA, senior citizen centers, and other agencies working with older adults.
- What’s Your Side Effect? (WYSE) This is an alcohol and prescription drug awareness positive norms media camping for high school age students. It will include posters, public service announcements, highlighting how young people can achieve their dreams and oals without using alcohol or pills.
The programs this spring for Guiding Good Choices at the Ross Community Center and the Union Missionary Baptist Church in the evenings. The Wise Program will be at the Downtown YMCA and the Forest Park Senior Center, with these programs during the day. For more information or to register, contact the location sites directly, or DCPC at 765-282-7988 for general information. Registration is required.
The programs will be taught by trained facilitators, including area law enforcement, retired school personnel, social service workers and youth advocates.
Funding for the programs is provided by a SAMHSA SAPT Block Grant through the Indiana FSSA/Division of Mental Health and Addiction.
Funding (in part) was provided by the SAMHSA SAPT Block Grant through the Indiana FSSA/Division of Mental Heal and Addiction awarded locally to the Delaware County Prevention Council contract #0000000000000000000017206. The views expressed in writing or by speakers do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services.