PROSPER Partnerships, the alcohol and drug prevention program held an annual statewide meeting on Tuesday.
By Matt Buhrman
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 at 11:49 p.m.
Read more: Local, State
MORAVIA, IOWA -- Students, researchers and administrators were among the participants at the PROSPER statewide meeting on Tuesday at Honey Creek Resort State Park. PROSPER, or "Promoting School Community-University Partnerships to Enhance Resilience," aims to bring drug prevention-science methods to everyone in the community.
A small number of students from Evans Middle School in Ottumwa were present and the first-annual "PROSPER Award" was presented to Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa). A delegate accepted the award on the senator's behalf.
KTVO spoke with officials on Tuesday about PROSPER.
"Well it's research-based and we have data that shows us that it's working. It's done through Iowa State University. They've spent a lot of time developing curriculum that is sound and research-based," said Diane Dowling, a guidance counselor at Evans Middle School.
"Your child is less likely to be using drugs and alcohol as they grow up...it's great. And if we can save one child from going through that and a set of parents from having to deal with all that, it's well worth it," added Sue Henderson, the County Education Director for Iowa State University Extension.
Representatives of PROSPER say that as the program develops a a national network of partnerships, the message of scientifically-proven prevention practices will be essential to our future.
