The Mystery of Project Success

By Macy Jones

         Have you ever wondered why students have been missing class once a week or getting little special notes? 

         The counseling meetings with Ms. Hanna, or “Project Success,” is a program funded by the federal government to help students stay away from drugs and alcohol.

         This program offers a variety of different counseling groups ranging from new students to recovery groups.

             All kinds of people participate in this activity including boys and girls of all grades. The meetings last all year and don’t plan on going anywhere.

“ I’ve seen the effects of how drugs and alcohol can destroy lives,” Ms. Hanna said.

Newcomers group offers new students to our school a place to adapt to their new surroundings, decreasing the stress and probability that they will start using drugs and alcohol.

There is an educational group for students who are engaging in risky behavior and would like to learn more about what they are doing to their body and the people around them.

Sibling group focuses on students who have alcoholic siblings but do not use themselves.

 One group is for students who have alcoholic or drug abusing parents and do not choose to do drugs themselves.

 There is also a group for students who are abusing drugs and alcohol and are interested in learning more about what they are doing to their bodies. This can also be a motivational group for students to quit.

Lastly, there is a recovery  group in which students have quit using and have already been in a treatment program.

“I think it’s a good thing they have these groups at school so kids can feel safe and have someone they can trust to talk to.” Sara Chesnut 12 said.

This program offers students a safe place for students to relate to their peers.

“This helps students who are going through the same thing and it’s a safe place to talk.”  Ms. Hanna said.

Just because someone attends these meetings doesn’t mean they’re an alcoholic or drug abuser.  It is to help prevent the use of drugs and alcohol now and into adulthood.