Purpose
Committee members work to build strong relationships between schools and the community in order to enhance drug awareness education and to provide drug-free activities for students.
Why is it important?
Today’s youth face many risks, including the temptation to experiment with drugs. Preventing risk behaviors before they become problems, especially at the younger age levels, has proven to be successful. Older teens who are already using drugs need ways to prevent further abuse or addiction and to seek treatment. There is no blanket formula, but generally successful anti-drug efforts can be accomplished by addressing risk factors for drug abuse (such as aggressive behavior, low self-esteem, and academic and social difficulties), raising awareness about the effects of drugs, providing alternatives to drug use, and building stronger school-family-community bonds.
Who should be involved?
Everyone is a stakeholder and can become involved with the Education Committee. Educators can strengthen learning, work with others in the school system to review current programs and identify research-based intervention strategies, and serve as mentors and advisors for anti-drug programs. Parents and guardians can reinforce positive behaviors and attitudes in the home and work with others in their community to increase awareness about the local drug abuse problem and the need for research-based prevention programs. Students can participate in UNITE Clubs and activities and learn how to resist temptations from their peers. School districts can implement strategies, such as drug-testing, and make available their facilities for meetings and events. Community leaders, businesses, civic clubs and organizations can provide financial support and volunteers for events and activities. UNITE has provided funding to place substance abuse counselors in the middle and high schools and school liaisons to work with elementary schools.
What are the goals?
Goals of Court Watch include:
Identify specific drugs that are problems in your community.
Create a database of volunteers willing to become involved with school clubs and activities.
Support stronger anti-drug policies in the schools.
Increase student participation in UNITE Clubs and other anti-drug activities.
Provide information to the community on drug dangers, symptoms and associated problems.
Identify existing drug abuse prevention programs upon which to build.
Activities to accomplish your goals
Community-based prevention is a proactive process. An array of different strategies can be used to reinforce behaviors and empower individuals and systems to form healthy, drug-free lifestyles. Some suggestions include:
Schedule guest speakers from the school system to speak at coalition meetings.
Stay informed and promote policy changes by your school board.
Publicize activities in the local media to raise awareness and encourage participation.
Recruit participation of local civic clubs and organizations.
Distribute anti-drug messages (including the Drug Tip Line and Treatment Referral Line) through school newspapers, take-home fliers and other materials that will reach a large audience.
Present anti-drug information and recruit volunteers from your school’s parent organizations and booster clubs.
Host anti-drug booths at school festivals and school nights.
Volunteer to help with club activities.
Provide financial support or donations to anti-drug programs.
Reinforce anti-drug messages by modeling positive behavior.
Provide educational seminars for parents, grandparents and community members about the signs and symptoms of drug use and proven prevention methods.
Operation UNITE : Unlawful Narcotics Investigation Treatment and Education
Official Site of Operation UNITE
2292 S. Highway 27, Somerset, KY 42501
606-677-6179 ● Toll Free 1-866-OP-UNITE ● Fax 606-677-6166
Operation UNITE : Unlawful Narcotics Investigation Treatment and Education
