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YourHub.com \\ Vero Beach \\ Stories \\ Education \\ Summer Camps

Teens make Deep Impact in drug prevention

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Contributed by: Patricia Daum on 7/30/2008

The young teens participating in New Horizons Student Assistance Summer Program learned some valuable life lessons...from their peers.

Deep Impact, a drug-prevention drama troupe, performed skits dealing with real-life situations that teen face every day. How do you say no when someone wants you to smoke or take a drink? What happens when you're stranded at the mall after a movie and your ride is wasted? What do you tell your parents?

"We find that our kids make these situations more real and credible for their peers," said Mary Burkins, Deep Impact Coordinator. "Our goal is to educate kids and show them the dangers of using drugs and alcohol. Through these skits and interaction with the groups, we encourage teens to talk about peer pressures and learn how to make responsible choices."

Deep Impact is funded through a grant from the Substance Abuse Council of Indian River County and is composed of students from six schools in Indian River County. The drama troupe practices throughout the year and perform skits for youth groups along the Treasure Coast.

"We were very fortunate to have the teens from Deep Impact perform during the summer camp," said Dot Brooking, prevention specialist. "They made a big impression on our kids."

The Student Assistance Summer Program was conducted for boys and girls ages 9 through 14. Forty students from Ft. Pierce, Port St. Lucie and Okeechobee met each weekday morning at Northport Elementary School and Miracle Prayer Temple for a day full of fun and activities.

While the kids were having fun attending the Mets baseball games and other field trips, they also participated in a prevention program. "During the seven-week summer program, we made a point to schedule health and law enforcement agencies to inform the kids about the dangers of tobacco and drugs," said Brooking.

New Horizons' Student Assistance Program provides a wide range of services for students throughout the school year. The program is conducted in elementary and middle schools in St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee Counties. The program is free and confidential for students and their families. For additional information, call 772-467-3010 or visit our web site at www.nhtcinc.org.

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