FCD Drug and Alcohol Prevention Assembly
Recently, student awareness and parent partnership in the area of drug and alcohol prevention has been a real and active priority for Xavier High School. On September 18th, Xavier was able to welcome Mr. Tim Ryan, FCD (Freedom from Chemical Dependency) Prevention Specialist, to Xavier in an attempt to present findings on drug and alcohol use among the student population, in the hope of changing attitudes and behavior regarding the use of these substances here at Xavier.
Last year Xavier asked FCD (Freedom from Chemical Dependency), an outside agency that many other Jesuit schools have used with great effect, to give all of our students a survey on drug and alcohol use and their perceptions of drug and alcohol use among their classmates. Mr. Tim Ryan shared the results of this survey with the student body in an attempt to begin a dialogue to help Xavier students make better choices.
Additionally, FCD gave a presentation to Xavier parents regarding the results of the survey later on that same evening. Over 200 parents attended the meeting with FCD, confirming the commitment to partnership Xavier strives to establish.
Headmaster Mr. Michael LiVigni remarked, “With these presentations, we hope to foster a conversation within Xavier families about drug and alcohol use. The information that we share with our community is important to the health and safety of our students. While I can appreciate that this is an interruption to the normal routine of school, it is an important interruption.”
FCD (Freedom from Chemical Dependency) is the leading international nonprofit provider of school-based substance abuse prevention services. For decades, FCD has worked worldwide to provide students and the adults who care for them with the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to make intelligent, healthy choices about alcohol, tobacco and other drug use. Xavier’s Director of Guidance, Mrs. Jean Sherman, commented:
“A presentation from a reputable organization such as FCD has the ability to affect positive change in the culture of Xavier High School. Having this type of information will not only change the conversation about drug and alcohol prevention, but will undoubtedly encourage our students who aren't engaging in unhealthy lifestyles (the vast majority of them) to have a voice that is heard in any and all forums about drug and alcohol use. It will be a challenge, but with a bit of effort and partnership on behalf of Xavier and our supportive parent community, this goal is absolutely achievable.”
In the coming months, the Guidance Department will begin further outreach to parents in different communities where our students live in order to encourage students to have informed plans when dealing with challenging situations. Mrs. Jean Sherman, Director of Guidance, notes, “At Xavier, we attempt to foster in our students the capacity to make informed decisions, and with awareness and information – like the presentation from FCD – this process is made real.”
For more information about FCD, please visit their website at:
http://www.fcd.org.