MCDAC Medina County Drug Abuse Commission: Drug Education, Drug Enfrorcement, Drug Prevention, Dru

By acting as role models and presenting lessons designed to build resilience and by increasing self-esteem and confidence, the HUDDLE
leaders hope to present alternatives to alcohol and other drug use for the elementary students. They also hope to help them say "NO" to
peer pressure.

The HUDDLE leaders receive extensive training and preparation prior to entering the elementary classroom. In teams of two, the leaders
present eight monthly lessons to elementary students in the 4th (or 5th) grade school classrooms. The lesson topics address the issues
of cooperation, listening, handling put downs, peer pressure, communication, tobacco and alcohol. The HUDDLE leaders receive
feedback from the elementary classroom teacher after each lesson.

Students submit a formal application, including referrals from a peer and adult. Finalists are then interviewed by the HUDDLE
advisor/students. Students MUST be tobacco, alcohol and other drug-free, be involved in school and /or community activities, have
average grades and be comfortable talking in front of groups. Once selected the HUDDLE leaders are asked to sign a "no-use" contract,
which is then signed by their parents, the High School Principal and the HUDDLE advisors in a formal HUDDLE induction ceremony.
The selection of HUDDLE leaders is, perhaps, the most important predictor of the HUDDLE program's success.