Students at NoyoHigh School and at Lighthouse CommunityDay School have the opportunity to participate in small groups on topics of their choice. Emily Husson is the CGAP Program Specialist, and she spends Thursdays with students at the alternative high school campus on Sanderson Wayand leads three small groups: Drug Education, Healthy Relationships, and Teen Issues. The groups were designed based on student interest. For example, during the first meeting of the Teen Issues group, the participants created the weekly schedule of topics together. Participants have the opportunity to learn about the topics, and to share and consider their own experiences in a supportive setting. Currently 18 students are served in these groups, which meet weekly for eight weeks. A new set of groups will begin again in February. These groups contribute to a positive school climate on this campus and the ultimate goal is to prevent and reduce substance use.
All 7th grade students at Fort Bragg Middle School participated in a Drug and Alcohol Prevention Education curriculum known as Project SUCCESS in the fall. Emily Husson, taught the curriculum for 8 weeks in all 7th grade science classes. The goal of Project SUCCESS, an evidence-based school wide program, is to prevent and reduce substance use by providing a full range of substance use prevention, early intervention, and universal prevention strategies. Basically, students learned factual information about some commonly abused drugs, such as alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, prescription drugs, and methamphetamine. The curriculum also addresses common adolescent changes, and coping and refusal skills. The program serves young people who know nothing about drugs to those who are users. It has been implemented at the Middle School for the past four years and has proven to be effective, as well as appreciated.
Further, small groups are offered to 7th graders as a continuation of the class. Emily will run one group at a time and is implementing an Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Prevention Education group with 7 members at this time. These group members are learning more about the drugs by participating in learning activities and engaging in more purposeful discussions than a classroom setting allows.
If you would like more information about these groups and programs you may reach Emily at 961-2453 or hussone@co.mendocino.ca.us or at CGAP meetings.
Fort Bragg Coalition for Gang Awareness and Prevention - CGAP 