Drug Prevention
Research shows that children begin forming their attitudes and beliefs about drug use as early as ages 11-12, making early prevention efforts critical in shaping healthy decision-making and reducing future risk of substance use (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2020) This is a staggering statistic and shows that it is more important than ever to help our kids understand the dangers and serious consequences of drug use. We must reach them early to equip them with the skills to say no and help prevent them from wanting to try harmful substances in the first place. The annual Drug Prevention Program, hosted by Safe Harbor Coronado and Coronado Middle School is designed with exactly these goals in mind.
This year, sixth-grade students from all Coronado Schools participated in the Drug Prevention Program on March 18th. This half day program is an all-volunteer program that is a combination of dramatic skits highlighting possible drug and alcohol scenarios that a typical teen might encounter, and educational stations that aim to educate, open conversation and make kids think twice about trying drugs.
Students are divided into 9 groups and together they travel through 14 activities. There are 5 dramatic skits that utilize pre-selected student actors, high school students, parents, pharmacists, police, EMT’s, doctors and nurses. Each actor is from our community, which brings a sense of realism to what the students experience. The students watch as a fellow sixth grade student is confronted with the pressures of vaping and partying. Their experience culminates when they agree to try an unknown substance and end up unconscious. The audience see the actor loaded onto a gurney and then doctors and nurses scrambling to help save the student. The actor’s parents are part of the scene, reacting emotionally as the doctor explains that they are not sure if the student will pull through. It is an intentionally intense scene that highlights the severity of consequences from choosing to engage in risky behaviors like taking drugs. Following the skits, there is an opportunity to debrief with counselors before the students move on to the educational stations.
In addition to the skits, there are 8 educational stations that the groups rotate through. These include a trivia game highlighting the scary statistics about drug and alcohol use, an opportunity to practice refusal skills, an educational presentation about brain health from SHARP pharmacxists, and a peer-to-peer discussion with high school students about the realities faced by teens in our community. Other hands-on stations include trying on CPD’s drunk goggles and exercising while breathing through a straw so kids can feel first-hand how their body might react to the stress caused by substance use. This year students were also able to see a demonstration from the K9 Detection Team and learn how law enforcement use dogs to aid in their drug related cases.
Substance use, abuse and addiction remains a serious problem in our society. The Drug Prevention Program is a fantastic first step for all sixth graders to experience. One parent reflected, “The program is incredible. All the presenters are engaged. All of the student actors and adult actors do such a great job over and over again. The kids are engaged. The stations interesting and fun. The scenes feel alive and real.” Another participant highlighted, “I love that the High School students were honest with the kids and told them that they WILL (not might) encounter drinking at parties, so be prepared.” The earlier and more frequently we can discuss, educate and empower our youth about the dangers of drug and alcohol use, the more likely we are to help stem the flow of drug related crime, addiction, disease and even death. Coronado is fortunate to have the Drug Prevention Program available to get the conversation started early and often.
Safe Harbor Coronado provides comprehensive mental health services to youth and families in Coronado. Through a range of programs and counseling services, Safe Harbor Coronado empowers individuals to build resilience and emotional well-being while fostering a stigma-free environment for help-seeking behaviors. Safe Harbor’s programs are available to all members of the Coronado community, regardless of financial means. For more information about Safe Harbor Coronado, their programs and services, visit www.safeharborcoronado.org.