New Middle School Program Teaches Kids About Substance Abuse, Violence Prevention, and Benefits of Mississippi Rehab Centers
A new evidence-based drug and alcohol prevention education program was recently rolled out at Columbus Middle School in Lowndes County to teach kids about the dangers of substance abuse. According to a spokesperson from the Mississippi Prevention Alliance for Communities and Colleges, which oversees the education program, Lowndes County is one of four Mississippi counties with some of the highest rates for underage drinking and prescription drug abuse.
The new program aims to help kids avoid peer pressure, and offers education surrounding domestic violence, Mississippi rehab centers, and other topics related to substance abuse.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse and addiction, understand there are several local treatment centers that can help. Call our confidential helpline at 888-414-2380 to learn more about Mississippi drug or alcohol rehab centers that can help you or your loved one achieve lifelong sobriety.
Helping Mississippi Youth Avoid Substance Abuse
The new program teaches 6th graders how to deal with peer pressure.
The youth education program, called “Too Good for Drugs,” targets all students in sixth grade, since data shows children start experiencing peer pressure to do drugs and alcohol around the age of 12. After the pilot program is completed at Columbus Middle School, the program will be rolled out to other middle schools in Lowndes County, as well as middle schools in Choctaw, Oktibbeha, and Winston counties.
Every Wednesday for 10 weeks, a group of volunteers will visit Columbus Middle School to educate children on substance abuse and violence prevention. Students will learn special skills that improve their attitudes and beliefs surrounding addiction, as well as skills that allow them to prevent substance abuse from interfering with their lives and futures. Barbara Blanchard, a volunteer teacher and former social worker, says the education program is effective at teaching kids how to get out of bad situations, and how to resist peer pressure.
The youth education program is being sponsored by the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, which awarded a five-year grant to Community Counseling Services so the program could be implemented in local schools, churches, and universities across the four counties. The purpose of the program is to reduce prescription drug and alcohol use among youth between the ages of 12 and 25, and to reduce problems associated with DUI arrests and drug-related school suspensions.
Treating Youth for Substance Abuse at Rehab Centers
Lowndes County saw 97 DUI arrests and 22 alcohol-related car accidents among 18- to 25-year-olds in 2014. Additionally, more than 4.5% of Lowndes County students were suspended or expelled due to alcohol-related incidents in 2015. When substance abuse education programs fail to resonate with students, rehab centers can help youth who suffer from addiction get back on the right track.
Youth who struggle with prescription drug or alcohol abuse can go to one of several local rehab centers that offer addiction treatment programs designed specially to help kids and teens achieve sobriety. Since youth often turn to drugs and alcohol for different reasons than adults, youth require a special type of education and counseling to overcome substance abuse. Additionally, teens can overcome dependency and addiction more effectively when alongside other teens experiencing similar problems.
If you or someone you love is addicted to drugs or alcohol, call our 24/7 confidential helpline at 888-414-2380 to learn more about your rehab options. Our caring addiction specialists will help you find Mississippi rehab centers with programs that can help you or your loved one successfully overcome addiction and achieve sobriety.
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