PROJECT CHARLIE TARGETS CHEMICAL USE IN CHILDREN

Project Charlie, (CHemical Abuse Resolution Lies In Education) a nationally recognized drug abuse prevention program, focuses on building self-esteem, improving relationships and developing decision-making skills. These areas of learning are the basis of primary drug abuse prevention.

Six casual factors have been correlated to chemical-use problems:

* low self-esteem

* peer pressure

* lack of healthy relationships

* poor decision-making skills

* boredom and curiosity

* lack of drug information

The Project Charlie curriculum was created to address these six factors. Today, the curriculum contains more than 150 lessons, activities and strategies targeted for students in second and fourth grades. The accent is on positive reinforcement, with much praise and encouragement.

Project Charlie tells students they are someone special.

The only requirement to enter the classroom with the program is attendance at the training and a willingness to reach children in the schools.

For information or to reserve a space, call Pam Brown, facilitator trainer, at 243-8070 or Tonya Buttry, Jackson Project Charlie president at 243-4446.

Project Charlie is funded by the Noon Optimists, local businesses and most recently, the United Way. The grant received by the United Way will enable Project Charlie to purchase more videos and other educational resources to use in the classrooms.