Pubdate: Fri, 10 Jan 2003
Source: Johnson City Press (TN)
Copyright: 2003 Johnson City Press and Associated Press
Contact:  http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1983
Author: Chris Garland, Erwin Bureau
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?135 (Drug Education)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

MORAL KOMBAT PROGRAM MAY BE EXPANDED

ERWIN - Moral Kombat behavior improvement courses, available through the 
Unicoi County School System, may be expanded to include programs for 
students with drug or alcohol problems.

The Unicoi County School Board was given its first look at MK5 on Thursday 
and is considering the program in addition to the MK1 behavioral program. 
The MK1 program has been utilized in the middle school and high school here 
for three years. Both programs are available through a division of First 
Tennessee Human Resource Agency and the local Correctional Counseling 
Institute.

A strong advocate for the programs, Unicoi County Middle School Principal 
Denise Brown told school board members the MK1 program has been 
instrumental by making a big difference in the lives of students who have 
attended. The first MK program was implemented by the FTHRA in response to 
the unfilled needs of regional courts, schools and other social service and 
youth serving organizations.

If approved by the school board, MK5 will use guidance and teach techniques 
to students who do not have a serious alcohol or drug problem, but the use 
of alcohol or drugs have created problems in their personal or public lives.

Spokesperson for the MK5 program Teresa Bohannon said, "It is a six-week 
program that costs $120 for the six session classes. It is based on fun - 
serious-type fun that is designed to get kids talking.

"The students can come to us through the schools, referrals, parents or 
grandparents. They will undergo assessment to see it they are suitable for 
the program. It is an early intervention and not a counseling program."

Bohannon said the MK programs are proven to have a 82 percent success rate 
where students who participate do not find themselves in serious trouble 
for the next year. The MK5 program is the newest program offered. The adult 
version is already in use while the student version is waiting for the 
state's final approval.

School board members said they will look at the program and any school 
policies that may need to be updated before they will make a final 
decision. Students who are referred to the MK programs who can not afford 
the fee will have the opportunity to work community service or receive a 
scholarship.

"No child needing the programs will be left out," Bohannon said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom