- Educate the community about the nature of the drug problem in their schools.
- Publicize school efforts to combat the problem.
Operation SPECDA,
New York City
Operation SPECDA (School Program to Educate and Control Drug Abuse) is a cooperative program of the New York City Board of Education and the police department. It operates in 154 schools, serving students and their parents from kindergarten through grade 12. SPECDA has two aims: education and enforcement. Police help provide classes and presentations on drug abuse in the schools. At the same time, they concentrate enforcement efforts within a two-block radius of schools to create a drug-free corridor for students.
The enforcement aspect has had some impressive victories. Police have made 7,500 arrests to date, 66 percent in the vicinity of elementary schools. In addition, they have seized narcotics valued at more than $1 million, as well as $1 million in cash and 139 firearms.
SPECDA provides a simultaneous focus on education. Carefully selected police officers team with drug abuse counselors to lead discussion sessions throughout the fifth and sixth grades. The discussions emphasize the building of good character and self-respect; the dangers of drug use; civic responsibility and the consequences of actions; and constructive alternatives to drug abuse.
Similar presentations are made in school assemblies for students from kindergarten through grade 4 and in the junior and senior high schools. An evening workshop for parents helps them reinforce the SPECDA message.
An evaluation of participants in SPECDA demonstrates that a majority of the students have become more aware of the dangers of drug use, and show strong positive attitudes toward SPECDA police officers and drug counselors. When interviewed, students have indicated a strengthened resolve to resist drugs.
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