Beginning Alcohol Addiction Basic Education Studies

WHAT IS BABES?

Beginning Alcohol and Addictions Basic Education Studies (BABES) is primary prevention.

BABES accomplishes this by assisting young people to develop positive living skills. Five lessons presented by trained retired volunteers include: self-image and feelings; decision making & peer pressure, coping skills, alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, and getting help.

Using puppets, important information is presented in a manner designed to gain the attention of children and to cause them to develop a desire for healthful living.

WHY START SO EARLY IN LIFE?

Health-related attitudes, beliefs and behaviors are formed at an early age. Many psychologists believe these are set before age five. Responses of children to BABES demonstrate that attitudes regarding substance use and abuse and other health-related behaviors exist at this age...and .. if not appropriate ... these attitudes can be positively redirected.

WHO ARE THE CHARACTERS?

BUTTONS AND BOWS MCKITTY are brother and sister kittens. They reflect the same feelings and emotions that real children experience, and are used to demonstrate effective, acceptable ways of making decisions, coping and handling other life decisions.

EARLY BIRD "honk-honks" early warning signals for self-defeating behaviors in general, and for wrong decisions regarding alcohol and other drugs.

MYTH MARY is a squirrel who repeats everything she hears without knowing if it is factual or appropriate for the occasion. Much of what she says and does is based on myths and misconceptions, not only about alcohol, alcoholism, and drug dependency, but also about every other life situation she experiences. Through her, children come to realize how misguided some of their own beliefs are - e.g. "It's wrong to feel angry," "alcholics are bad people", and other myths.

DONOVAN DIGNITY is a wise owl who corrects Myth Mary's myths and shares a lot of other good information about ways of having a happy, healthy life. He presents things in a factual, non-judgemental fashion in ways children can understand.

RHONDA RABBIT Is the new kid on the block because she just moved to Pudding Heights. She needs lots of hugs because she has been abused psychologically, emotionally and physically.

RECOVERING REGGIE is a dog who is recovering from chemical addiction. He tries to erase the stigma attached to chemical dependency and to pass on the lessons in living he has learned as part of his recovery.

The BABES program is presented at Perrysburg Elementary Schools in the 2nd grade classroom, and at St. Rose Elementary School in the 3rd grade classroom. For more information contact Prevention Partners at 874-4242.