Stories in this Issue:
Federal Grant to Help North Carolina Communities Address Substance Abuse Prevention
School District Gets Record Grant to Reduce Underage Drinking
Recent Collegiate Study Says “Normal” Not To Drink
New Phone Number Brings New Help to NC Residents
by Kathy Jordan
WINSTON-SALEM –
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools (WSFCS) has received a $1.7 million grant to reduce alcohol use among secondary students. The three-year project, beginning during the 2005-2006 school year, was the result of a collaborative effort by the school district and the prevention component of Partnership for a Drug-Free NC (PDFNC), Unlimited Success.
The program is called “Options for Change” (OC). It is the largest grant award in the nation for any school district applying for these federal funds. “What an opportunity we have to make a difference in the lives of our students and families,” says Jane Williams, Vice President of Unlimited Success.
“Underage drinking is a huge problem. Studies show parents grossly underestimate the amount of alcohol consumption by teenagers. In general, adolescents who choose to drink are drinking to excess and are drinking to get drunk.”
Williams says OC provides “special opportunities to connect with kids and help them successfully negotiate the adolescent years.” In its first year, experts say, the program has helped kids deal with tough topics. The idea is to allow teachers and counselors to build relationships which can prove powerful and influential.
Staff members are using the grant money to purchase effective, research based curricula which have track records in reducing alcohol use, episodes of binge drinking, and lowering adolescent use of cigarettes and marijuana.
“Just ‘Saying No’ is really not a very effective strategy,” says Williams. “Drug prevention needs to be based in effective practices which help teens self-evaluate the kind of student and person they want to be. They need to be able to reflect on their choices by asking themselves if choosing to use alcohol and drugs is getting them where they want to be in life,” according to Williams.
After one year of implementation, experts say the results are clear. Adolescents who experience these programs display more resilient behaviors. In general, students feel less peer pressure to use alcohol, report understanding the importance of not using illegal substances, and indicate improved family communication.
Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has cited the curricula as exemplary models (its highest rating). The programs selected for implementation include “Project Northland,” “Class Action,” and “Reconnecting Youth.” Secondary schools are receiving technical assistance from Unlimited Success prevention specialists to work with teachers in effectively implementing the curricula in classroom settings.
“Our School Board recognizes the inherent dangers of underage drinking and substance abuse and is committed to influencing our students in positive ways while guiding them in making the right choices,” said Dr. Don Martin, superintendent of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. “The programs that have been chosen are highly interactive, increase positive parental interaction, and utilize peer educators as leaders in the classroom.”
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools is contracting with the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE) in Chapel Hill to conduct an evaluation of the project which monitors the processes and outcomes of the primary research-based programs.
Dr. Martin is hopeful about the lasting impact. “Evaluation is an integral part of this project,” he says. “The school system wants to see positive outcomes demonstrated. We are indeed fortunate to have been selected in this elite group of school systems and given additional resources to expand our district’s efforts to promote safe and drug-free school environments.”
First year project results are promising. “Students exposed to Project Northland in middle school are more likely to disapprove of alcohol use by people their own age. Participants also indicated that they increased their knowledge of the potential negative consequences of alcohol use on people’s health,” says Williams. “These efforts will continue as the project matures into the critical years of high school as risk factors increase for adolescents.”
School leaders believe Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools is fortunate to have this opportunity to work with Partnership and be a part of this rigorous evaluation which is a requirement of the grant. Six prevention specialists work full-time in the district with students and teachers.
Currently, the “OC” project is reaching middle school students and has expanded to high school this school year with a booster curriculum known as “Class Action.” Staff is helping to incorporate Class Action into the current 9th grade Life Management Skills course.
Joevanne Estrada is a prevention specialist working with students and teachers in the program. “It’s such a great approach. This has been big in other states, and we’re seeing lots of students gain enthusiasm for learning. The teachers have been really responsive and have been excited about working it into their health classes.”
Unfortunately, the drug-free and healthy choices message does not always reach everyone. Chris Prysock works with students who have been suspended for long periods or expelled. He says he can still see, though, the benefits of even the first year of “Options for Change.”
“It’s a good thing, and I can see our schools are using it in a productive way. The program they’re doing is definitely helpful. There’s much more of awareness this year. My students are more familiar with who we are and what we’re trying to do.”
“The more information we give them, the more receptive they’ll be.”
For more information about this federally funded grant project, call Kathy Jordan with the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools’ Safe and Drug-Free Schools office at 703-6730 X 2.