This week, we recognize National Inhalants & Poisons Awareness Week, focusing on increasing understanding about the use and risks of inhalant involvement. In an effort to address both this and several other risky behaviors students may come across today, local law enforcement work tirelessly to help educate area students on how to make positive choices and resist pressures to engage in risky behaviors such as drinking, smoking, using other drugs, or becoming violent through use of the CounterAct program.
CounterAct is a national program for students in grades 4, 5 and 6 that joins local police departments, elementary schools, and parents in a cooperative effort to help young people live healthy lives.
Recently, officers from the Richland Center Police Department have been in 5th grade classrooms teaching the 6-week CounterAct program. In CounterAct, students learn specific, age appropriate skills that they can apply to real-life situations to enable themselves to make positive choices and resist the pressures to engage in risky behaviors such as drinking, smoking, using drugs or engaging in violent behavior. CounterAct also emphasizes the importance of parents and family in the growth and social development of our young people.
A Parent’s night was held on February 25th, giving family members and other important adults an opportunity to learn what the students have studied during their classroom sessions. The students presented skits that demonstrated the skills they have learned. In addition, officers presented information geared toward parents and other adults who have a stake in the success of our children. Parent’s night also had a visit and demonstration from Sgt. Dane Kanable and K-9 Titan.