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Students gather to discuss HIV and drugs
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Posted on Mar 05 2001
Over a hundred students from various public schools gathered Saturday at the Kagman Community Center to discuss various issues that range from sexually transmitted diseases to drug addiction.
Public School System Deputy Commissioner for Secondary Education Rita Sablan said 5th and 6th graders from Tinian, Rota and Saipan were asked to participate in a whole-day Health Kids Summit to formally educate them on the hazards of STDs, drugs and HIV.
PSS invited Hawaii-based Pacific Resources for Education and Learning facilitators Harvey Lee and Gary Shimabukuro to explicitly discuss various aspects of drugs and STD problems including preventive measures and self-esteem and leadership building.
During the discussion, PREL representatives urged students to talk about common problems and peer pressure, on how to stay away from drugs and solutions to these perennial problems among youth today.
According to Ms. Sablan the summit aims to openly tackle the problems with students and prepare them on the intricacies of their growing up years.
The summit is part of PSS’ efforts to educate public school students on various aspects of their early adult life.
Participants were given reports on hallucinogens, its effects and what it can do to the body. These drugs include LSDs, acid, and others.
Alongside the summit, teachers held open discussion on how to teach students to stay away from drugs and methods to effectively implement a drug prevention program.
The discussion tackled various aspects on why students turn to drugs, how to evaluate students on drugs and what to do to prevent them from turning to drugs.
The Health Kids Summit was a joint effort of PSS and the Department of Public Health. (EGA)
