HEALTH DEPARTMENT LAUNCHES CHARACTER-BUILDING PROGRAM

Drug resistance programs or campaigns such as D.A.R.E. and "Just Say No"
have proven to work, but their primary focus is drug abuse prevention.
Children and teens face a myriad of issues today, including drugs, tobacco,
sex and alcohol.

Teaching children how to handle peer pressure is a high priority, but
LifeSkills, taught by the Clark County Health Department, incorporates drug
resistance skills, personal self-management skills and general social
skills into one program.

"It's a character building and self-esteem program," said Carolyn Burtner,
tobacco cessation coordinator for the health department.

Mrs. Burtner led the first LifeSkills session at the Clark County
Alternative School last spring and will take it to Conkwright and Clark
Middle schools in the fall. LifeSkills, developed in the late 1970s by drug
abuse prevention expert Dr. Gilbert Botvin, aims to teach
prevention-related information, promote anti-drug norms, teach drug refusal
skills and foster the development of personal self-management skills and
general social skills. The program, Mrs. Burtner said, provides students
with skills to resist pressure to smoke, drink and use drugs, instead
developing self-confidence and enables them to cope with social anxiety.

Kenneth White, principal at the alternative school, said the program seems
to get students "on the right road."

"It's like planting a seed," he said of the 15-week program. He said
exposing students to the skills set now would give them the knowledge and
power to say no when faced with the situation.

"It's a long-term program," White said.

In order to expand the program into the middle schools, the health
department is sponsoring a training seminar for interested volunteers July
29 and 30, Mrs. Burtner said.

"Anyone who works with kids can take the class," she said.

Helping students learn this type of life skills can make a difference,
White agrees.

"I welcome and encourage it," he said.

More information on LifeSkills may be obtained by calling Mrs. Burtner at
the health department at 744-4482.