Peer-Led Prevention Assembly Empowers Gaylord Middle School StudentsYouth Coalition Members Encourage Healthy Lifestyle Choices
The Health Department of Northwest Michigan (HDNW), in partnership with RISE: Otsego Substance Free Coalition, visited Gaylord Middle School last week to host interactive workshop-style assemblies focused on youth substance use prevention.
“We are proud to recognize our youth coalition members for their dedication to empowering younger students to make healthy choices around substances,” says Ellen Templeton, RISE: Otsego Substance Free Coalition Project Coordinator. “Through their leadership and willingness to speak up, our youth members are helping create positive change for youth across our community.”
RISE’s high school aged youth coalition members, supported by adult coalition members, guided 120 seventh grade students at Gaylord Middle School as they rotated through five hands-on learning stations. These stations focused on educating students about the risks associated with vaping, alcohol, and marijuana use while promoting healthy decision-making skills.
Station Highlights:
- My Choice, My Future: Students reflected on their personal goals and reasons for choosing to avoid substances.
- What’s In That Vape?: This station provided education about the chemicals found in vaping products and their potential effects on the brain and body.
- Speak (C)up! Not Everyone Is Doing It: Students participated in cup-stacking with impaired vision goggles and the help of law enforcement, to see how alcohol can affect coordination, reaction time, focus, and decision-making.
- All Thumbs: Through hands-on activities, students experienced how minor impairments in coordination can make everyday tasks more difficult and increase safety risks.
- Mind Maze: Students learned how marijuana use can affect focus, memory, planning, problem-solving, and decision making.
HDNW and RISE extend their gratitude to the partnering organizations and community supporters who helped make this event possible:
- Gaylord Community Schools
- Gaylord City Police Department
- Up North Prevention
- Gaylord Wellness Center
A special thank you goes to Awakon Federal Credit Union in Gaylord for providing funding support, which played an important role in bringing this event to life.
For more information on RISE visit riseotsego.com. For more information on programs and services offered by HDNW visit us online at nwhealth.org or call us locally at 800-432-4121. To stay informed of local health updates, consider subscribing to our monthly newsletter by clicking here.
.jpg)