Lee’s Summit Embraces New Educational Program for Youth
In the heart of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, there’s a new program making waves in schools and among students. The Lee’s Summit Police Department has rolled out an innovative curriculum tailored to the unique needs of the community’s youth. The aim? To equip students with essential life skills and educate them on the pressing issue of drug use.
Transition from D.A.R.E. to IMPACT
Gone are the days of the traditional D.A.R.E. program, which had been a staple in schools for decades. In its place, police officers in Lee’s Summit have developed IMPACT, a program designed to provide students with relevant and timely information. Officer Beth Glover, who teaches this new program at Cedar Creek Elementary, explains why this shift was necessary.
“The core content of the D.A.R.E. program hasn’t been updated since 2009,” Glover noted. “We wanted more flexibility to respond to developing trends and challenges that our youth are facing. This new program allows us to do just that.”
Empowerment Through Life Skills
Launched in 2022, the IMPACT program places a strong emphasis on essential life skills first before tackling the complex topic of drug use. Students in the program learn about emotion regulation, risk management, and problem-solving. After laying this critical foundation, the curriculum transitions into important conversations about the dangers of drugs such as alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, and opioids.
Glover describes the IMPACT program as “custom-tailored to the needs of youth within our community.” Through collaboration with local community stakeholders, the program was designed to address not only drug-related topics but also the various life skills that need enhancement among local students.
Positive Feedback from Students
Students are already noticing a positive impact from the program. Zayd Abdulrahim, a 13-year-old and the president of Tiger Smart—a club promoting a drug-free lifestyle—shared how the program has educated many of his friends about the dangers of vaping, which is becoming increasingly common among his peers. “Our generation doesn’t commonly use cigarettes anymore, and the knowledge we’ve gained through IMPACT has really opened a lot of eyes,” Abdulrahim observed.
He expressed gratitude for the program’s approach, noting that before IMPACT, many of his friends were unaware of the harmful effects of vaping and other drugs. “I feel like IMPACT and Tiger Smart have really helped a lot of them understand the effects of drugs on the body and how staying away from them is a good choice,” Abdulrahim added.
A Wider Reach Beyond Lee’s Summit
The IMPACT program isn’t just sticking to its roots in Lee’s Summit. Glover mentioned that Blue Springs has already adopted this effective program in their own schools. With sixteen different staff officers responsible for teaching the program across 25 schools, including various grade levels from 2nd to 7th, the ripple effect of IMPACT is sure to benefit even more students in the area.
The program emphasizes accountability at its core. “If you mess up, you fess up,” Glover reminds the students, demonstrating the importance of personal responsibility in making healthy choices.
As Lee’s Summit continues to pioneer this exciting and relevant educational initiative, it’s clear that the focus on providing youth with the skills they need to navigate life’s pressures is yielding positive results. With the dedication from officers like Beth Glover and the involvement of students like Zayd Abdulrahim, there’s a hopeful outlook for a healthier, more informed generation.
