FIFTH GRADE is a time of transition — the end of elementary school and the threshold of middle school. It’s a practical time to offer students tools for the prevention of substance abuse like goal-setting and risk management. The Prevention Coalition of Bedford County’s (PCOBC) Positive Actions program at Eastside Elementary School empowers fifth graders to stand firm when faced with critical choices regarding abusive substances.
The program’s instructor, Leigh Maddox, speaks to the students from personal experience. She offers a unique perspective as someone who began misusing substances in middle school. Children of addicted parents deal with feelings of neglect and miss their mother or father’s presence and expressive love.
Maddox said, “I’m a parent myself, so I try to reassure students through my lessons and let them know that if their parents went through addiction, the love is never not there. The guilt and shame set in, but their parents love them, regardless of what they’ve been through or what’s going on.”
The lessons teach goal-setting and address managing emotions, building self-esteem, and a positive self-image, which often factor in becoming vulnerable to substance abuse. Learning to see the impact of these as obstacles to meeting goals is one of the program’s aims.
“I share my story with them, especially at the end, because I’m a recovering addict. I’ve been in places where their parents have been or [where] their family members are. They open up tremendously as they get to know me and as we play games. If they had parents who were addicts and they had to live with their grandparents, or if their parents have recovered, that opens a doorway for all of them to be able to relate.”
The 16-unit program begins early in the school year and concludes in late winter with a special graduation program. The PCOBC director, Jimmy West, joins the celebration.
“At graduation, we have all the kids together — all three classes,” Maddox said. “We usually have pizza and give gift bags, and Jimmy speaks. We spend time with them, talk with them, and play for that last time together.”
According to West, the program is only offered at Eastside, but the need is great at all schools. The previous PCOBC director, Bob Hudson, initiated Positive Actions as an after-school program years ago.
West said, “The great thing about the Positive Actions program is that most schools are already aware of the curriculum because they produce other curricula used by the schools. I pray this will open up in every school because it’s everywhere. And the biggest thing right now is vaping. THC is going crazy in our schools. If parents tell their school that they want this program for their children, I think that would be very helpful.”
More programs that provide settings for law enforcement to interact positively with students are also a goal.
“I think most kids’ interaction with law enforcement will be negative. Having a positive experience with a law enforcement officer in the school system and hearing them say they love and care about them and want them to make right decisions helps shape how young people grow up seeing law enforcement,” said West.
The Positive Actions program creates positive experiences and safe places for students to share and grow. Wouldn’t director Hudson be proud? GN
