Prevention program's aim

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Native legends and the words of Ojibway elders form the backbone of an innovative school program for students kindergarten to Grade 12 in the United States.

The Red Cliff Wellness curriculum targets prevention of alcohol and drug abuse

by developing cultural, emotional and social growth in students. The cross-cultural program was developed 14 years ago by the First American Prevention Centre in Bayfield, Wisconsin.

In the program, stories and legends are used as teaching tools in classrooms, from the Blue Sky puppet family in kindergarten to applying positive cultural teachings in high school.

"The program began when members of the tribal government started practicing sobriety. They agreed to work with the Bayfield public school system in developing a wellness program," said Ron DePerry.

Approximately 65 per cent of the school's students are Native. "We offered tobacco to our elders for help in putting the curriculum together. We are still developing it," said DePerry, a teacher with the centre.

Elementary grades participate in activities enhancing sharing, respecting honesty and kindness through the use of teachings and legends. Identifying and understanding emotions and developing communication skills are also included while gradually introducing factual information on alcohol and drugs.

Students at the junior high and high school level deal with issues such as attitudes toward substance abuse, family dynamics, self awareness and the influence of the media

on alcohol and drug use.

An important aspect of the Red Cliff program is the teacher training the First American Prevention Centre insists upon before providing schools with the curriculum.

"That way we are making sure that the curriculum is used. Too often, good programs get shelved because the teachers don't know how to use it," said DePerry.

Regional differences can be integrated into the program which is being used

by Navaho, Sioux and Hopi communities, among others.

The Red Cliff wellness program takes a holistic approach to education and prevention of substance abuse. In addition to the curriculum-based program, the centre developed linking programs for the community.

"You can't just work prevention with kids and school because there's a whole community out there," said Lynne Basina.

After assessing the needs of the community, workshops on a variety of subjects

are held during the course of the school-based program.

"The grassroots approach is much more successful than coming in and setting

up programs without community input," said Basina, a former social worker.

It is an open-ended process, she said. Interested members of the community

work together to discuss problems, set priorities, find an action plan and implement it.

For more information on the Red Cliff Wellness Curriculum, write the First American Prevention Centre at P.O. Box 529, Bayfield, Wisconsin, 54814, U.S.A.