Pubdate: Mon, 17 Jan 2005
Source: Sun Herald (MS)
Copyright: 2005, The Sun Herald
Contact:  http://www.sunherald.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/432
Author: Sara Greer

DRUG PREVENTION TO BE TAUGHT

Instruction About The Dangers Of Club Drugs Is Coming To Some South 
Mississippi College Classrooms

JACKSON COUNTY -Drug prevention efforts will enter South Mississippi 
college classrooms this spring thanks to a grant funded through the Alcohol 
and Drug Abuse division of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health.

Sonya Miller, prevention specialist with Gulf Coast Mental Health in 
Gulfport, said the "Communities Mobilizing for Change" and "Project 
Success" pilot programs financed by the five-year, $300,000 annual grant 
will target a popular group of hallucinogens known as club drugs, such as 
Ecstasy, GHB, Ketamine and Rohypnol.

"Not only do these programs include curricular education, but they also 
address legal, institutional, social and health issues," Miller said.

According to Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics statistics, 28 percent of the 
2,244 drug-related arrests in 2003 occurred in the counties where the 
classroom-based programs will be tested.

Along with GCMH, DREAM of Hattiesburg, Jackson County Children's Services 
Coalition, Pine Belt and Singing River Mental Health will implement the 
only program of this kind in the state at the Perkinston, Jefferson Davis 
and Jackson County campuses of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and 
the Jackson County Alternative School.

Jim Yancey, JCCSC prevention director, said the 12-session courses aimed at 
18- to 24-year-olds will be taught using a proven approach that emphasizes 
students' personal strengths.

Instruction by professionals trained in treatment and prevention will be 
combined with group discussion, projects and guest speakers, such as DEA 
agents, for a well-rounded study of club drugs. But will students take the 
courses seriously?

"I fully expect some students to disagree with the data and information we 
have on the dangers of club drugs. Our role as teachers will be to teach 
the information and allow the students to hammer out these vital drug 
issues within the classroom setting," Yancey said.

He added if these pilot programs are successful, similar prevention efforts 
will spread to other colleges and universities in the state.

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If You Go

What: Kickoff reception for club drug prevention.

When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Jan. 31.

Where: East Central Community Center, Mississippi 614, Hurley.

Details: Jim Yancey, Jackson County Children's Services Coalition, 522-1965 
or Sonya Miller, Gulf Coast Mental Health Center, 863-1132.
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MAP posted-by: Beth