Some Success Stories
In collaboration with OARC/Family Connection the Oconee County School district has been able to implement a number of prevention programs in the schools. Red Ribbon Week is utilized as a means of creating awareness of drug and alcohol concerns, as well as promoting prevention programs and strategies to students and parents. Say Boo to Drugs is part of Red Ribbon Week, creating emphasis on abstaining from drug use focusing on grades K-5.
A Network Directory is also supported by OARC/Family Connection and is developed to aid parents in networking among themselves in an effort to reduce alcohol and drug use among their children through increased knowledge of the interaction with other families that impact their child/children. After Prom is an activity that has been offered for several years to high school students and has a broad base of community support. Students attending the Prom are encouraged to remain afterwards to participate in safe and fun activities. The program is offered as an initiative to reduce alcohol and drug use by students, as well as reducing incidents of DUI and fatal accidents by students.
Botvin’s Life Skills Training Curriculum, a researched-based curriculum has been implemented in the middle schools and two elementary schools. The curriculum focuses on building positive life skills to reduce a student’s reliance on violence and alcohol and drugs to socialize and to teach students how to make healthy choices. It is being replaced by Project Alert. A Peer Helper program is also in place at the middle school level and a Peer Helper program has been launched at the high school level. Peer Helpers aid students in finding the appropriate adults at school to help solve problems and resolve conflicts.
Additionally, Prime for Life, a research-based curriculum, will be offered to students who have been caught with or using drugs and/or alcohol on campus. Students who participate in the Prime for Life program receive reduced suspension. Oconee County Schools, in cooperation with GEMA, will continue the utilization of police dog searches to identify drugs and weapons in the school or on the school grounds.