Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Cossel | Students of the Brassavola Bi-lingual School in La Ceiba, Honduras for a counter drug...... read more read more
Spc. Benjamin Cossel
LA CEIBA, Honduras - In his 14 years working with the Franklin County (Ohio) Sheriff's Department as the Drug Abuse Resistance Education Officer, 1st Sgt. Joseph Vince has visited plenty of schools; he just never expected to give his presentation in Central America.
Visiting the Brassavola Bi-Lingual School Mar 29, in La Ceiba, Honduras, Vince, Chief Medical Non-Commissioned Officer with the Ohio Army National Guard Medical Detachment, taught children in grades 7-11th the dangers of drugs and gangs.
"In addition to being a D.A.R.E. officer, I've worked with the Sheriff's department for a total of 20 years. I work as the School Resource Officer and the Public Relations for the department."
According to Vince, the idea generated during a meeting of local Honduran medical officials and members of the OHARNG MedDet as they prepared missions in support of Operation New Horizons.
Operation New Horizons is a joint training exercise between members of the U.S. and Honduran militaries with a side effect of bringing civil relief to citizens of the area.
"We've been working with Dr. Wilmer Almador, a local dentist, to determine what locations would benefit the most by our medical personnel setting up. Dr. Almador knew that I was a D.A.R.E. officer and asked me if I would make my presentation at a local school."
Students from the school worked with members of the U.S. Air Force as translators during operations; Dr. Almador thought it would be nice to give something back.
It took a few days to make all the preparations, but finally Vince was sitting in a car with school counselor David Guevara navigating the streets of La Ceiba on their way to the school.
Arriving at the location, Vince was shown to an auditorium where more than 100, 7th, 8th and 9th grade students awaited.
"This is a larger group of kids then I'm used to dealing with," said Vince. "Typically I make this presentation to about 30 or so children. But that's all right, just makes it more interesting."
Vince started the presentation by asking them where he was from in the United States. "Anyone know where Ohio is?" Then he asked the kids why people use drugs. The group of timid school children eked out a response to which Vince slightly teased them.
"Come on, you're a smart group of kids, I know you can do better then that!"
Eventually the kids became more excited in the presentation and answered Vince's questions with more vigor as he asked them about methamphetamines, cocaine and marijuana.
When asked about methamphetamines, most of the children responded that they didn't know what the drug was.
"I'm very glad to hear you don't know what meth is," said Vince. "Meth is a very, very addictive drug that we're having some very serious problems with back in the States."
"What about gangs?" asked Vince, "What do you know about gangs?"
The notorious Mara Salvatrucha 13 or MS-13 as its better known has a presence in the area.
"In the States, gangs are also a big problem. Especially the MS-13, and they are every bit as vicious in the States as they are here."
Vince then gave the students tips on how to stay away from drugs and reasons not to join gangs.
Ending his presentation, Vince read a poem entitled "I am Meth" written by a meth addict serving prison time. Soon after her release, the author of the poem was found dead of an overdose, the needle still hanging out of her arm.
"I think all and all the presentation was well received," said Vince. "It's like back in the States, the message probably got through to some and not to others. If just one child is helped by what I said, then it's all been worth it."
Later that afternoon, Vince gave the same presentation to 10th and 11th grade students.
Before leaving for the afternoon, Vince visited with school principal, Mrs. Norma Castro.
"Our kids are exposed to those types of situations on a daily basis," said Castro. "I'm very glad that you [Vince] came in today and gave these kids the tools to make the right decisions."
Hoping the children took something away from his presentation, Vince noted that he definitely will incorporate this new experience to his schools back home.
"I'm definitely going to be telling my students about this experience and incorporating it into my presentation. This has been a really good experience."
| Date Taken: | 03.31.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 03.31.2006 15:43 |
| Story ID: | 5917 |
| Location: | LA CEIBA, HN |
| Web Views: | 145 |
| Downloads: | 93 |
This work, D.A.R.E. - Students Learn the Dangers of Drugs, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT