Katie Backus of Oswego County Division of Social Services/Mental Hygiene is among the 22 counselors, educators and representatives from substance abuse prevention agencies named as Regional Coordinators for the 2009-2010 Rite Aid Drug Quiz Show, a statewide drug and alcohol prevention and education program that targets youth in grades 5-8.
Each year, the Drug Quiz Show challenges more than 30,000 students from nearly 250 schools to test their knowledge of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs during game-show style competitions. Students kick off the year with classroom or school-wide playoffs to select a team that advances to district and regional events, leading up to the New York State Regional Playoffs and Finals.
Regional Coordinators plan and administer in-school and regional competitions, and help students study the Drug Quiz Show “Learning Centers,†a set of guides that contain drug abuse prevention information.
“Through the efforts of our Regional Coordinators, students gain the knowledge and skills needed to make safe, healthy decisions,†says Susan Meidenbauer, Executive Director of the Drug Quiz Show. “We are fortunate to have so many talented professionals who are committed to this program. Our Regional Coordinators are the reason for its success each year.â€Â
“Rite Aid is proud to sponsor the Drug Quiz Show, because education is the first step to addressing any problem,†says John Learish, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Rite Aid. “In addition to educating students on the dangers of substance abuse, the Drug Quiz Show arms students with other valuable life skills, like self-confidence, teamwork, responsibility and good sportsmanship.â€Â
Regional Coordinators piloting this year’s program include:
Allegany: Bobbi Jo Baldwin, Allegany Council on Alcoholism; Cattaraugus: Dr. Anthony Evans, Cattaraugus County Youth Bureau; Chenango: Kevin Nial, Chenango County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services; City of Syracuse: Mark Mason, Blodgett Middle School; Cortland: Leslie Wilkins, Family Counseling Services; Broome/Delaware/Tioga: Kathy Neiss, Elks/South Central district; Fulton/Saratoga: Yvonne Major, HFM Prevention Council; Hamilton: Dorean Page, HFM Prevention Council; Herkimer: Maureen Petrie, Herkimer County Prevention Council; Montgomery: Margaret Clark, HFM Prevention Council; Oneida: Samantha McCarthy, Mohawk Valley Council on Alcoholism/Addictions; Onondaga: Nicole Smith, Prevention Network/OCAA; Oswego: Katie Backus, Oswego County DSS/Mental Hygiene; Otsego: Vicky Wasiel, LEAF; St. Lawrence: Jenny Pryce, Seaway Valley Prevention Council; Seneca: Elizabeth Wiatrowski, Council on Alcoholism of the Finger Lakes; Steuben: Susan Hooker, Hornell Area Concern for Youth; Syracuse Diocese: Brenda Reichert; Tompkins: Jennifer Astles, Tompkins Seneca Tioga BOCES; Warren/Washington: Jennifer Wood, Council for Prevention of Alcohol & Substance Abuse; Wayne: Jeanna Buisch, Council on Alcoholism of the Finger Lakes; and Wyoming: Eric Perry Wyoming County Partners for Prevention.
To learn more about the Rite Aid Drug Quiz Show, contact Susan Meidenbauer at 315-471-3624 or visit www.drugquizshow.org.
missing or outdated ad config