Students With Purpose
&
Youth Drug Education Prevention Program

Education is power. When people know better, we are more likely to do better.

The Students With Purpose and the Youth Drug Education Prevention Program are taught together.

Youth Drug Education Prevention Program (Y.D.E.P.P)

YDEPP is a unique interactive, evidence based, program which provides age-appropriate non-judgmental education on substance abuse prevention to our youth participants on how to change drinking and drug use behaviors by changing beliefs, attitudes, risk perceptions, motivations, and the knowledge of how to reduce their risk of alcohol- and drug-related problems throughout their lives. Equipping the participants with the appropriate tools to understand the possible risks linked with high-risk alcohol and drug choices is a significant tool to protect what we value.

The applicable information is presented in a non-judgmental way, in a non-judgmental environment. It evokes new thinking and a firm foundation for making decisions about their substance abuse. It helps to increase abstinence. This program assists our youth with substance abuse awareness. As well as, educating those who have abused drugs and/or alcohol to gain the tools to utilize when they have a desire to abuse drugs and/or alcohol.

YDEPP is designed to gently but powerfully challenge common beliefs and attitudes that directly contribute to high-risk alcohol and drug use. Assist each youth participant without any known elevated risk factors, who need risk reduction education. Also, this program will assist our youth participants who do display a propensity of increased exposure for developing substance abuse related issues. The program’s objective is to educate our youth as to the pitfalls of substance abuse, in a non-judgmental manner.

Students With Purpose

SWAP (Student With A Purpose) is an evidence-based mentorship & leadership curriculum implemented by Richmond Community Schools. Three members of Townsend Community Center, Inc. Board of Directors are certified to teach this curriculum at Test Intermediate School two days per week. They also teach it at Dennis Middle School two days per week.

This program is interactive & non-judgmental. It is taught in a non-judgmental environment. Even though there is a curriculum, some days the participants set the tone/topic of the day’s discussion. The tips, discussions, strategies, real life stories in the book, along with guest speakers have proven to enhance the abilities these students to make positive choices to become the best person they choose to be.