FOR RELEASE:                                                      March 18, 2009

Bureau of Substance Abuse, Prevention, Treatment & Recovery to host TAKE THE L.E.A.D-Leadership, Education, Achievement, Drug-Free Certification Program
at Jared W. Finney High School

 

     Preparing Detroit’s youth for a “Drug Free” future is the goal set by the Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion, Bureau of Substance Abuse Prevention, Treatment, & Recovery (BSAPTR) in partnership with the Finney Youth Initiative. Over the past ten years, local community leaders have been committed to increasing opportunities for Detroit ’s youth to succeed. In response to the overwhelming demand for violence and substance abuse prevention at Finney High School , the Finney Youth Initiative was founded. The initiative is a collaboration consisting of students, parents, staff, community group, and others interested in helping Finney High School students.  On March 18, 2009, at Finney High School , a kick-off ceremony for the TAKE THE L.E.AD. Certification Program was held.  Finney High School is the first high school in the Detroit Public School District to participate in the TAKE THE L.E.A.D Certification program. The pilot program is geared towards students who participate in athletics or extracurricular activities at the school.  The purpose of the project is to prevent drug use and abuse by youth, to identify students who need help getting and staying drug-free, and to prepare students for the workforce and higher education opportunities. The TAKE THE L.E.AD. Certification program certify students in career and college preparation training, as well as, provide them with free drug screening and access to counseling and referrals to local community resources.  “This is a great step for our community in preparing students for the next academic and professional stages of life, especially with 80% of all employers drug testing” stated Thomas Stallworth, Substance abuse Prevention Programs Manager. The kick-off consisted of an overview of the TAKE THE L.E.AD. Certification process and a motivational and informative address presented by former National Football League Super Bowl Champion, Mr. Keith McKenzie.  Mr. McKenzie will present the benefits of living a drug-free lifestyle and share the strategies he used to achieve a successful professional career as an NFL Player.

     The City of Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion, Bureau of Substance Abuse Prevention, Treatment, & Recovery (BSAPTR) believes that the TAKE THE L.E.AD. Certification Program at Finney High School will assist students with developing habits that prepare them for success beyond high school. Additionally, the Finney Youth Initiative is committed to insuring that Finney High School students have access to resources that will assist them with “taking the lead” in Leadership, Education, Achievement and a Drug-Free lifestyle!

For more information regarding this event or the TAKE THE L.E.AD. Certification Program, contact Thomas Stallworth, Substance Abuse Prevention Services Manager at (313) 876-4103

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