Pubdate: Tue, 21 Dec 2004 Source: News-Journal (Mansfield, OH) Copyright: 2004 News-Journal. Contact: http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/customerservice/contactus.html Website: http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2413 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) PREVENTION PROGRAM HONORED WITH AWARD MANSFIELD -- The Positive Opportunities Program (POP) in Mansfield was one of seven substance abuse prevention programs across Ohio honored with state awards in Columbus recently. POP, a school-based program run by Community Action for Capable Youth, was honored by the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services at the Ohio Prevention and Education Conference. ODADAS spokesman Eric Wandersleben said POP was the only program in north central Ohio among the winners this year. POP has been providing education, prevention and intervention services to youths in Richland County for almost 10 years, POP Program Director Beth Hammond said. The program serves sixth-through 12th-graders in the Mansfield City Schools. It educates children on the harmful effects of tobacco, alcohol and drug abuse and violence, and teaches conflict resolution, problem solving and resistance skills. Youths are asked to sign a drug free pledge to show commitment. Some youths receive immediate referrals for assessments and treatment, where warranted, according to Hammond. Grade-point averages for students involved in POP increased between January and June of last year from 1.80 to 1.90 for high-risk youths, and from 2.90 to 3.10 for low-risk youths. POP participants put in 107 hours of community service during the period -- picking up trash, mentoring children in the Club 36 after-school program, participating in the American Red Cross Walk-a-Thon, and volunteering in the community recycling day. POP also has a community-based component so the families of youths can receive informal services such as parenting, skill building and support. POP staff are located in Mansfield middle and high schools. There is a waiting list of at least 25 youths at each site, according to Hammond. Priority is given to youths referred through school administrators or juvenile court. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek