Celebrate Me! I’m Drug Free!

Mann Middle School hosted a Health Fair on October 26, 2005, for more than 450 seventh and eigth graders in conjunction with Amarillo’s Red Ribbon Week activities. Texas Bicycle Coalition staff members were able to provide bicycle safety support for the Fair.

The Community Coalition for Prevention, Intervention and Treatment used this “Celebrate Me! I’m Drug Free!” Health Fair to present eight Developmental Assets to the students. Support Empowerment, Boundaries & Expectations, Constructive Use of Time, Commitment to Learning, Positive Values, Social Competencies and Positive Identity were the human development areas communicated.

These assets represent common wisdom about the kinds of positive experiences and characteristics that young people need and deserve. Regardless of gender, ethnic, heritage, economic situation or geographic location, these assets promote positive behaivor and attitude.

Collectively, 13 local agencies provided 25 representatives to present information to the students. The students enjoyed the interaction with each agency. Agencies included:

*Amarillo Idependent School District Child Nutrition Prevention Coordinator Liaison Officer (Amarillo Police Department), Prevention Specialist and Counselors
*Spit Tobacco Prevention Network
*Managed Care Center
*American Cancer Society
*Tobacco Free Amarillo
*Amarillo Public Library
*Professional Addiction Services
*Gold’s Gym
*Faith City Mission
*Cornerstone Outreach Center
*Worth the Wait
*Texas Bicycle Coalition
*Tornado Alley BMX

Extra time was spent by many students learning bicycle safety from Texas Bicycle Coalition Local Outreach Coordinators Fernando Martinez and Joyce Cunningham. Relay races were used to identify bicycle parts, mock bicycle rides to exhibit hand and arm signaling and a bicycle “Crashes” video to express helmet safety.

The Health Fair was a big success. Staff and students requested another Fair be scheduled at the Mann Middle School for positive reinforcement of the Developmental Assets.