More than a hundred area middle and high school students and their parents will receive certificates of completion for their participation in the 15-week drug and alcohol abuse prevention and education series conducted by CADAS, the Council for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services, Inc.
The graduation celebration was to be held at Coolidge Park Pavilion, Thursday, May 16, beginning at 6 p.m.
CADAS works with five area middle and high schools: Calvin Donaldson Elementary, John P Franklin Middle, East Ridge Middle, Chattanooga Middle, and Lookout Valley Middle and High providing structured, intensive programs targeting youth up to age 18 who may be at risk for developing alcohol, tobacco, or other drug use problems. Programs are age-specific, developmentally appropriate, and culturally sensitive, and include a parent/care giver component.
The staff, led by coordinator Winona Jarrett assisted by Terrance Derrick and Keith Spikes, cover these topics as well as peer pressure, sexually transmitted diseases, recognition of good touch-bad touch, and anger management.
CADAS has been providing this program in the area schools for more than 10 years with support from the Tennessee Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services. Goals of substance use prevention services include preventing the onset of substance use and reducing the negative consequences of substance use. Effective substance use prevention programs must be theory-based in research and best practices, carefully planned, well executed, and continuously evaluated as to process and outcomes.
CADAS provides quality education, prevention, and treatment services for alcohol and drug abuse to the chemically dependent, their families and the community at large, officials said.
The treatment care continuum includes assessment, outpatient, residential, and transitional living for adolescents and adults. Continuing care, weekly aftercare meetings are provided for all persons who have been through treatment.
CADAS has been serving the greater Chattanooga region since 1964 and is accredited by the Joint Commission for Accreditation of Health Care Organizations.