Author: Valerie Stewart
Planning Unit: Powell County CES
Major Program: Health 4-H Core Curriculum
Plan of Work: Addressing Family Life Needs
Outcome: Initial Outcome
Local community needs assessments reveal that drug education and drug prevention are some of the highest rated needs in Powell County. Community leaders constantly ask for more and more youth activities to help keep kids off drugs and constructively involved. In 2017, the Powell County Extension Service collaborated with the Powell County High School Counselors and Youth Service Center as well as the area ASAP Board to coordinate our first ever "Truth and Consequences" event. The program targeted 9th and 12th grade students to try to give them a more "realistic" view of the consequences that may have already faced or may face in the future. Extension staff coordinated the event, recruited volunteers and "booth" organizations such as the local Circuit and District Judges, the Powell County Jail, Local Police Departments, Women's groups and Extension groups; prepared the signage for the event; purchased & coordinated lunch for the volunteers; prepared all booth paperwork, etc. At this event, youth were randomly given a "scenario" that could happen to them regarding "sex, drugs, drinking, etc." and they had to follow the scenario all the way to the end -- possibly making stops at the police department to be arrested, the jail for holding, to see an attorney and/or Judge, counseling, Juvenile Detention and so much more. "Parents" (volunteers) were assigned to each youth to help explain and talk with them as they go through their scenario. Many students state how eye opening this event really was -- the consequences of keeping a friends secret could be very drastic. 100% of the students were very surprised and increased their knowledge of the responsibility of the driver in any motor vehicle. There were 5 youth who this experience hit very close to home and they were able to confide in a local counselor and began counseling after the event. All organizations and volunteers reported the event to be a huge success and were excited to see if offered again with lots of great suggestions for improvements.
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