Education Department Tackles Substance Abuse

If it is said often enough, people might believe it. That’s the philosophy behind a new state program aimed at school children. Five school districts are the test beds for a school-based program combatting substance abuse. The State Education Department and the Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse are teaming up. Division Director Michael Couty says it’s an effort to get the message to children early and keep reinforcing it. School districts in Hickman Mills, Edina, Jennings, Springfield, and New Madrid are the pilot projects. Drop-out rates truancy records, referrals to juvenile authorities, and the number of students in poverty were used in picking the five districts.