Cadets learn Risks and Realities of Drug Abuse

Mr. Roger Waitt and Major Damron talking before workshop

 CAMP HILL, AL - Lyman Ward Military Academy cadets learned about the risks and realities of alcohol, tobacco, and drug use in a day-long workshop conducted by FCD Educational Services on March 5.

FCD - Freedom from Chemical Dependency - is a nonprofit substance abuse prevention organization based in Newton, MA.  Mr. Roger Waitt of West Palm Beach, FL, was the prevention educator who conducted the seminar for all cadets in grades 6 - 12.

For the past 30 years, FCD has worked hand in hand with hundreds of secondary schools across the United States, and around the world, to provide students with the knowledge, understanding, and skills they need to make intelligent, healthy choices about alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use.

FCD's approach is based on several core beliefs:

• Substance abuse prevention in schools is not a program. It is a climate.
• Prevention should be approached from a health perspective. Patronizing, morally threatening messages are ineffective and close down communication with students.
• Drug education is not a one-time inoculation. It must be long-term, ongoing, and adapt to the changing cognitive, emotional, and social worlds of the growing child.
• Children and adolescents are more likely to make responsible choices about alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use when they are:
• Presented accurate information
• Respected and listened to
• Given clear, consistent expectations for behavior
• Exposed to positive role-models
• Rewarded for choosing to live drug free.

Mr. Roger Waitt talking with the sophomore class

"At Lyman Ward, we are committed to educating our cadets about the risks and realities of substance abuse," says Academic Dean MAJ Jeff Damron.  "It's not an easy task, and we cannot do it alone.  We will continue the conversation for the rest of this school year, and bring FCD back next year for more extensive training so that our cadets will have the skills they need to become healthy, responsible adults."