Pubdate: Tue, 20 Aug 2002
Source: Messenger-Inquirer (KY)
Copyright: 2002 Messenger-Inquirer
Contact:  http://www.messenger-inquirer.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1285
Author: David Blackburn

BIVINS CHOSEN TO HEAD MUHLENBERG LIFE SKILLS PROGRAM

Initiative Will Have Broader Focus Than D.A.R.E.

GREENVILLE -- Partners in a new program that will replace D.A.R.E. classes 
in Muhlenberg County are expected to meet Wednesday to finalize plans for 
hiring the program's leader.

Dale Todd, superintendent of Muhlenberg County schools, a member of the 
Pennyrile Narcotics Task Force and County Judge-Executive Rodney Kirtley 
will try to iron out details on hours and salaries for officers of the new 
life skills program, which will teach more than just alcohol/drug awareness 
to more students.

Among them are Scott Bivins, the criminal investigator with the Greenville 
Police Department whom Kirtley and the Fiscal Court appointed Aug. 14 as 
the full-time life skills officer.

Eddie DeArmond, a retired Kentucky State Police officer, will be one of two 
part-time officers, Kirtley said. He said another part-time officer 
probably will be announced at the Aug. 27 Fiscal Court meeting.

As the full-time officer, Bivins would head the program, as well as serve 
on the county's 911 Governing Board and work with the task force.

The life skills program will have a broader focus than the Drug Abuse 
Resistance Education program that taught awareness of alcohol and other 
drugs to fifth- and sixth-graders.

The new program will be presented to fifth-graders through high school 
seniors and include preventive information concerning tobacco.

Kirtley said the focus will be on middle-school-age students.

"We feel like that is the biggest influence there will be, in those 
grades," he said.

The curriculum now being studied is a character development program that 
teaches responsibility, citizenship and respect, Kirtley said.

But the plan is to blend in parts of other programs to include drug/alcohol 
and tobacco awareness, Kirtley said.

Bivins said he has provided similar information in public speeches locally 
and in Calloway County during his six years with the Murray Police Department.

"We've tried to instill a sense of civic pride and personal pride," Bivins 
said. "They (students) are an active part of the community like adults are.

"Once I look at the curriculum and see where it's going to go, I would like 
to do some brief classes on government structure" at the local, state and 
federal levels, he said.

That experience is one reason Bivins was chosen for the job over a handful 
of other local officers that showed interest in it, Kirtley said.

"He came highly recommended from everyone we talked to," Kirtley said.

The total budget for the new program will determine how many hours a week 
the other officers will work, Todd said.

"The two part-time people will be assigned to two or three elementary 
schools each," he said.

The Fiscal Court and school system will provide some of the money for 
salaries, while the narcotics task force will contribute a car for Bivins 
to use and some funds.

Some of the funding will also be part of a state Agency for Substance Abuse 
Policy grant given to Muhlenberg, Todd and Christian counties for a joint 
prevention effort.

The first $175,000 phase of the grant will pay for surveys, strategies and 
setting up programs, Todd said.

The second phase, which could provide up to $185,000 in additional funds to 
the three counties, will be used for implementing the strategies and 
prevention.

Bivins said he hopes to start the program the first week of September.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens