Watari’s “Stop, Think, Assess, & Respond” (S.T.A.R.) Program is an education program for grades 4 to 7, presenting in classrooms all around the Greater Vancouver area. S.T.A.R. offers a “just say KNOW” approach to drugs, safety, compassion, and community. The program has been specifically developed to promote discussion and encourage healthy decision making.

While S.T.A.R. has been providing education and health promotion to students since 2000, the program is continually adapting to the issues that are relevant to young students. Recent presentations also include topics such as vaping, social media, gaming, and screen time.

Each week during the school year – 3 mornings a week from 9am to noon – students in an elementary school somewhere in Greater Vancouver are buzzing as they participate in quizzes and role plays that challenge them to think and act in a new and informed way. Values, conflict, and tricky situations, are just a few of the topics that two of Watari’s skilled counsellors approach over the 4 sessions, all with the intention of building resiliency skills and creating options that allow young people to stand up for themselves and others.

“The Star outreach program is absolutely essential for teens of the 21st Century!”

“Just say KNOW”

Objectives:

That youth:

• gain a basic understanding of how different drugs affect the body, mind, & social context

• recognize harmful drug use, and become informed on healthy choices for coping & self management

• gain an understanding of basic communication skills and assertiveness, as well as ways to say no and stay safe

• become aware of external resources: counsellors, teachers, parents, families, friends & community agencies, as tools for self-care

• gain a basic understanding of emotions & mental health, coping, and the relationship to drug use

• gain awareness of their strengths and preferences as coping tools

• consider how to build and maintain healthy relationships with self and others

For more information about having Watari’s S.T.A.R. Program come to your school, please call Sandra or Kevin at:

604-254-6995

or email kevin at: kevin@watari.ca