Teaching about dangers of underage drinking...BADD students pictured talking to Middle School students are Clayton Crotts, Rachel Tischer, Karla Mendez, James Bates, Anali Benavides.

Middle School students learn about underage drinking

On Tuesday, May 12, five Waldron High School students educated fifth and sixth graders at Waldron Middle School about the dangers of drinking alcohol before the age of 21.

The students are members of Bulldogs Against Destructive Decisions (BADD) and represent Scott County Health and Education Coalition youth subcommittee. The High school students taught the fifth and sixth graders about the damage alcohol does to the brain and body before the age of 21.

The students also shared ways to make smart choices. The students taught this curriculum in Mrs. Morgan’s sixth grade reading class and Mrs. Reed’s fifth grade Language Arts class.

The Scott County Health and Education Coalition received a stipend from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in March 2009.

Since 2001, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through its Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA's) Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP), has collaborated with Scholastic Inc. to prevent underage alcohol use. The Reach Out Now (RON) initiative provides fifth- and sixth-grade teachers with an attractively designed package of materials aligned with national education standards.

Community-based organizations (CBOs) have supported the RON initiative by conducting Reach Out Now Teach-Ins in fifth- and sixth-grade classrooms throughout the country. Teach-Ins are an excellent way for CBOs to deliver messages that build resistance skills among students and increase protective factors that help prevent underage alcohol use. CBOs can build on the momentum of other community prevention activities.

Community-based organizations (CBOs) have supported the RON initiative by conducting Reach Out Now Teach-Ins in fifth-and sixth-grade classrooms throughout the country.  Teach-Ins are an excellent way for CBOs to deliver messages that build resistance skills among students and increase protective factors that help prevent underage alcohol use.  CBOs can build on the momentum of other community prevention activities.

SCHEC commends Waldron Middle School for their willingness to allow underage drinking prevention curriculum in the school.