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. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom