FOUNTAIN SPRINGS - Seventh-graders at North Schuylkill Junior-Senior High School will be participating this school year in a drug prevention program designed to reduce alcohol, tobacco and drug use.
The LifeSkills Training Program for middle school students is offered by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence at the University of Colorado at Boulder. LST was developed by Dr. Gilbert J. Botvin, professor of public health and psychiatry and director of Cornell University's Institute for Prevention Research.
According to information provided by district Supervisor of Curriculum and Federal Programs Dennis Kergick, the LST program is designed to help younger students make safer and healthier life decisions, with an emphasis on drug and alcohol safety and goal setting. Additionally, the LST program is designed to help younger students develop appropriately by using lessons that impact social, physical and mental health.
"This is a new program for the school district and is being used for seventh grade this year," Kergick said, adding that the program will be used in seventh and eighth grade next year and in seventh through ninth the following year. Students will participate in the program two to three times per week.
"The program was offered to schools throughout the country, with North Schuylkill and Pottsville Area deciding to pick it up in the county," said health and physical education teacher Jake Wartella, who along with HPE teacher Pam Snyder will present the program to the students.
According to the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, the LST program is an evidence-based substance abuse and violence prevention program designed to be implemented in middle and junior high school classrooms. It has been effective in helping youth resist drug use, with a 75 percent reduction in marijuana use, 68 percent reduction in methamphetamine use, 66 percent reduction in polydrug use, or use of two drugs in combination, 60 percent reduction in alcohol use and 87 percent reduction in tobacco use.
LST also effectively helps to reduce violence and other high-risk behaviors, according to program results. It incorporates age-appropriate and culturally relevant information, facilitated discussion and structured activities in 30 class sessions over three years.
The program has three main objectives:
- Personal self-management skills: Provides students with skills to enhance self-esteem, learn creative problem solving, reduce stress and anxiety and manage anger.
- General social skills: Empowers students to meet challenges, such as overcoming shyness, communicating clearly, building relationships and avoiding violence.
- Drug resistance skills: Helps students resist pressures to use tobacco, alcohol and other drugs.
The LST program will be funded by a Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence grant. There are 65 school districts around the country using grant funds to replicate the LifeSkills program. The training would usually cost $34 per student but North Schuylkill students will be receiving the training for free. Also, the program includes pre- and post surveys, multiple assessments and observations.
Kergick said curriculum materials are provided over the three years, including student guides and teacher manuals. Wartella and Snyder have attended two-day teacher training workshops, which are required for school districts to implement the LST training.
"We will be monitored by the university during the program, which includes random visits from the center to see the program is being implemented properly," Kergick said.
Kergick added that Prevention Services Coordinator Diane Rowland with the Schuylkill County Drug and Alcohol Program will provide a local connection to the program at both county schools.
Secondary Principal Christian Temchatin believes this is a great opportunity to reach students at a young age and help them make better life decisions with the ultimate goal of developing them into successful adults.
"This program is one more way to help keep our children healthy and safe," Temchatin said.