At Flathead High, the drug-education program has gone beyond the usual posters and police pep-talks that char- acterize many programs. The student anti-drug group Students Taking A New Direction (S.T.A.N.D.) is not widely known, but thanks to this program, some students have chosen to make lifelong commitments to not use drugs.
Dedicated high school students in this group are committed to providing positive leadership to youth and their peers. At Kids' Camp, 7th and 8th graders learn leadership skills and the positive benefits of being drug-free from members of S.T.A.N.D. They make new and positive friendships that will carry them through their new school year as they head to Linderman or the Junior High. Kids' Camp also reaffirms the counselors' commitment to their cause.
S.T.A.N.D. members also attend Teen Camp in the beginning of December, a time for fun and a reward for high school students who have made the wise choice to be drug-free. Along with fun and games, such as cross-country skiing, snowball fights and karaoke, Teen Camp focuses on leadership workshops and small-group time for discussion. This year, Lt. Governor Judy Martz spoke on achieving goals.
One of the most important activities of drug education groups is endorsement of the nationwide Red Ribbon Week. Members of S.T.A.N.D. have the privilege of sharing with elementary kids why they have made the choice to be drug free and how that decision has helped them. This gives the younger students role models to admire and positive behavior to model.
S.T.A.N.D., with its mother organization C.A.R.E., also provides many opportunities for students who aren't members in the club. RockFest and the annual Moonnlight Cruise for seniors in the spring are drug free and are always fun. After enjoying these activities, no one can say they had a bad time just because there weren't any drugs or alcohol present.
It's close to the New Year and time to think about New Year's resolutions. S.T.A.N.D. is a great place to come if you decide to stop using drugs and alcohol. S.T.A.N.D. is not a support group, but it is a place to find fun alternatives to using drugs.