New DCS curriculum teaches kids about dangers of drugs

KENANSVILLE — Children across Duplin County Schools are now learning about the dangers of drugs thanks to the implementation of the Too Good for Drugs curriculum, which is being taught by 89 organizations in North Carolina.

The program is one of the Opioid Response strategies for early intervention designed to mitigate risk factors associated with alcohol and drug use.

Jamie Murray with the Duplin County Health Department Opioid Response Team told Duplin Journal the course aligns with the health curriculum for North Carolina Public Schools and is now being taught to first, third, fifth, seventh and ninth graders in Duplin County Schools.

“We will be teaching this during their health classes,” said Murray, explaining that the 10-week course will be completed in nine weeks to align it with the schools’ schedules.

“The kids love it. We did a pilot program at Kenansville Elementary back in the spring, and they loved it. It’s very interactive. They’re up and down. They’re moving. They’re getting a chance to talk,” said Murray, adding that the kids who participated in the pilot program also enjoyed singing and dancing. “It’s not just sitting at a desk and taking notes, so it’s something that they will enjoy doing. It’s a really good program.”

The program starts out setting goals and addresses important subjects like how to get along with others and how to handle peer pressure, Murray explained.

“The further you go into it, it gets to talking about substances that are not good for you, to put in your body and such. Now, of course, when we get into the older grades, what will happen is it will be more in-depth,” explained Murray.

“I’m excited about the team that we have in place,” Murray said, adding that they have five instructors involved in the program who are all former teachers.