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New student rep planning to adopt ‘Know the Truth’ program in CNMI
Newly appointed public schools student representative Audrey Joy Ada has bared plans to adopt an international program that will address use of drugs and alcohol as well as bullying among Commonwealth students.
Ada wants to bring to the CNMI the “Know the Truth” program, which was initiated in Minnesota. It is designed to educate students on addictions and the consequences of their choices as well as to help them overcome everyday struggles.
According to the program’s website, it offers large-group, multi-media presentations that challenge students through the stories of others “who have walked the dark alleys of addiction.”
“During the past year, ‘Know the Truth’ has worked with over 130 high schools within the United States. I’m hoping to bring them to the CNMI to speak with our students. Last school year, another program titled ‘Teen Truth Live’ came to the CNMI and spoke about drug and alcohol use. This program impacted my friends and it was highly effective for my peers,” she told Saipan Tribune.
Ada believes that once these programs are established in the CNMI, “we can begin to self-run them with our schools’ student councils or youth advisory panel members.”
Ada also vowed to help address teen pregnancy by educating her peers and by pushing for the creation of nursing stations in public high school to help affected students.
“I’m hoping to be able to establish a nursing station in each of the high schools. At Marianas High School, our nurse’s office provides us with free birth control [information flyers] and condoms, and I have received so much requests from other students that they want the same in their high schools. Some parents may not agree with this, but my peers find it highly effective in preventing teen pregnancy,” she said, adding that she will also endorse the establishment of “sex education” courses in secondary schools to better inform students about sexually transmitted diseases.
Ada said she will continue to look into other effective programs that can be adopted in the CNMI.
Ada was appointed to the Board of Education last Friday. She is a non-voting board member representing public school students.
By Moneth Deposa
Reporter
