In a recent initiative, PESA aimed to tackle the pressing issues of drug use, vaping, and marijuana within school campuses. The educational presentations were specifically designed to not only educate students but help reduce the harm of drugs through real life conversations with interns. This collaboration marked PESA’s first partnership with Valor, established over the summer. Looking ahead, a follow-up presentation is already on the horizon for January.
MSW Interns Christian Herrera, Karina Torres, Tess Zaret, and Lisbeth Davalos, under the guidance of PESA’s Practicum Educator Instructor, Amancay Ledzema, developed the presentation and CSUN Interns Brenan Cole and Amable Vasquez joined them in presenting. Araksya Nordikyan, PESA’s Director of Youth Services, played a supervisory role, ensuring logistics were in place and providing on-site support. Reflecting on their roles, Nordikyan stated, "The interns did a phenomenal job developing and delivering the presentation. The students even approached the presenters with curious, detailed and private questions afterwards.”
Conducted during classes, the presentation reached around 460 students across grades nine through eleven. Featuring interactive elements like a Kahoot game, the sessions aimed to engage students actively and identify areas requiring more focus. Beyond discouraging drug use, the presentation emphasized harm-reduction strategies, such as safety practices to mitigate risks. Nordikyan emphasized,"The educational presentations went beyond just cautioning against the dangers of drugs; they equipped students with valuable harm reduction strategies, empowering them with crucial real-world knowledge to safeguard themselves from potentially life-threatening risks.”
In confronting taboo subjects surrounding drug use and substance abuse, the presenters aimed to break barriers often stemming from discomfort and uncertainty. The realistic and pragmatic approach taken by the MSWs facilitated meaningful conversations that schools often struggle to initiate effectively. Cole, one of the presenters explained, "They felt that they could confide in me and talk about it, especially since I gave my personal insight. It felt great to actually have that occur because it’s very hard and difficult to speak up, especially when you’re younger."
In conclusion, these valuable partnerships are making significant strides in addressing critical issues within school settings. By fostering open dialogue and providing proactive solutions, initiatives like these play a pivotal role in ensuring the well-being and safety of students.
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