PARTNERSHIP RECEIVES 'KEEP A CLEAR MIND' KITS

The City of Olive Branch on behalf of the Partnership for a Healthy Olive
Branch and DeSoto/Tate Counties has received a $4,000 grant from the Office
of Highway Safety for Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities to
purchase "Keep A Clear Mind" kits. They have arrived and will be
distributed to schools or law enforcement agencies that are interested in
conducting the program.

The grant funded 937 kits complete with student workbooks, parent
newsletters and incentives for the students. 'Keep A Clear Mind' is a
minimal contact, parent-child drug education program which is facilitated
by the school counselor, classroom teacher or a local law enforcement officer.

The program consists of four lessons (alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and tools
to resist drugs)

'Keep A Clear Mind' has proven effective in increasing parent-child
communication about drugs and drug use. It has also been effective in
helping third and fourth grade students develop the knowledge, attitudes
and skills needed to resist drug use. The program was developed by the
University of Arkansas, Health Education Projects Office.

"Chickasaw Elementary School has supported this program for their third
grade classes for the past five years." (Peggy Linton, Community
Development Director and Grants Administrator for Partnership) "We are
fortunate that our City has secured School Resource Officers that can go
into the classrooms to teach. It is important that the students receive the
lessons and the reinforcement that is shown through the presence of a
police officer as instructor."

The kits are available on a first come, first serve basis to law
enforcement agencies and school teachers on a first come, first serve basis.

If you are interested in obtaining any of the kits, please call Peggy
Linton at 895-7171.