Superior schools implement new program
<p>Superior students listen to an orientation for an anti-drug and anti-alcohol program.</p>
SUPERIOR – A program started in neighboring Sanders County has spread to Mineral County in an effort to educate area youths about the dangers of substance abuse, specifically underage consumption of alcohol.
The Elevate Coalition is a community based organization, led by teens, that aims to teach others about the adverse effects underage alcohol consumption can have on their health and their futures among other issues. The program is being spearheaded in Mineral County by Superior High School Counselor Byron Quinlan but will ultimately be led by students.
“This a is a student driven coalition that is based on making positive choices,” Quinlan said. “It is anti-drug, anti-alcohol and anti-tobacco. It’s based out of Sanders County but now we have the same kind of program in Mineral County. We want to promote a healthy lifestyle in Mineral County.”
Quinlan said the first meeting acted as an orientation and was attended by 62 students. He said he was encouraged by the turnout.
“It was great to see so many students who had an interest in the program,” Quinlan said. “We will be trying to put on events and activities that focus on being substance free. We are really wanting to be involved with this.”
The Elevate Coalition was started by Chuck Standeford of Plains. According to the group’s website, their stated goal is to “provide support to the youth of Sanders and Mineral County. We are a community based coalition that promotes being above the influence.”
Quinlan said Standeford’s model could be easily applied to the youth of Mineral County. He said, the fact that so many students showed up for the orientation meeting indicates that Mineral County youths are taking the effort seriously.
“We are looking for a strong group of students that want to step up and say ‘we want to do something about the issues that concern our community’ and then do it,” Quinlan said. “We want a positive, drug free environment. This is something we are pushing hard for this year.”
Quinlan said the youths that choose to participate will be in charge of determining what type of activities they put on but all will foster an atmosphere that is drug and alcohol free. He said starting Oct. 20, there may be activities that coincide with Red Ribbon Week, a nationwide alcohol, tobacco and drug prevention awareness initiative.