WAIMEA — Preventing underage drinking by affirming a positive attitude rather than a negative one is the core philosophy of the Positive Action Underage Drinking Prevention program for Kaua‘i middle school students. The program, offered through Hale ‘Opio Kaua‘i, is
WAIMEA — Preventing underage drinking by affirming a positive attitude rather than a negative one is the core philosophy of the Positive Action Underage Drinking Prevention program for Kaua‘i middle school students.
The program, offered through Hale ‘Opio Kaua‘i, is designed to make students feel good about themselves through positive actions, and shows them how there is “always a positive way to do everything.”
Hale ‘Opio Kaua‘i recently celebrated its first Underage Drinking Prevention program graduation at Waimea Canyon Middle School.
The students thanked Principal Glenda Miyazaki for letting Positive Action come to their school and listened to an inspiring talk with Robin Graff, general manager of Kaua‘i Beach Resort, who told students how each of them matters and how drug and alcohol use and peer pressure leads to poor decision making, a press release states.
Hale ‘Opio PA facilitator Mary Ann Ornellas and liaison Julie Kajiwara were congratulated by guests Theresa Koki, County of Kaua’i Anti-Drug coordinator, and Brenda Jose, Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol coordinator, for her effectiveness engaging youth in the program.
Positive Action is nationally recognized to positively impact character development, improve grades and prevent risky behaviors.
Locally, the effectiveness of Positive Action was demonstrated in schools on O‘ahu, Molokai and Maui in a five-year study, the press release said. Youth pre and post-program surveys evaluated by the University of Hawai‘i indicated beneficial attitude and behavioral outcomes for youth.
Positive Action is currently being offered at Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School and starts again at Waimea Canyon Middle School on Monday.
Positive Action is made possible by grant funding through the county’s Anti-Drug Program, Hawai’i Department of Health, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention Strategic Prevention Framework.
Contact Mary Ann Ornellas at 245-2873, ext. 221, to enroll. A seven-session parent component is also available.
• 42 percent drank some amount of alcohol
• 24 percent binge drank
• 10 percent drove after drinking alcohol
• 28 percent rode with a driver who had been drinkingalcohol
• 28 percent of youth ages 12 to 20 drink, and 19 percent bingedrink
• 15 percent of 8th graders and 44 percent of 12th graders drankduring the past month
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2009survey
1. Hilo, Hawai‘i
Heavy Drinkers: 9 percent of population
Binge Drinkers: 22 percent of population
2. Kapa‘a, Hawai‘i
Heavy Drinkers: 11 percent of population
Binge Drinkers: 19 percent of population
3. Fargo, N.D.
Heavy Drinkers: 8 percent of population
Binge Drinkers: 22 percent of population
4. Butte-Silver Bow, Mont.
Heavy Drinkers: 6 percent of population
Binge Drinkers: 23 percent of population
5. Bozeman, Mont.
Heavy Drinkers: 9 percent of population
Binge Drinkers: 20 percent of population
6. Milwaukee, Wis.
Heavy Drinkers: 7 percent of population
Binge Drinkers: 22 percent of population
7. Bridgeport-Stamford, Conn.
Heavy Drinkers: 7 percent of population
Binge Drinkers: 22 percent of population
8. Hilton Head Island, S.C.
Heavy Drinkers: 9 percent of population
Binge Drinkers: 19 percent of population
9. San Francisco, Calif.
Heavy Drinkers: 8 percent of population
Binge Drinkers: 20 percent of population
10. Wilmington, N.C.
Heavy Drinkers: 8 percent of population
Binge Drinkers: 20 percent of population
Note: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defineheavy drinking as more than two drinks per day for men and morethan one drink per day for women. Binge drinking is defined as fiveor more drinks during a single occasion for men and four or morefor women.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2009survey
