The Above the Influence program, founded by retired Orange County Sgt. Brian Gunsolley, seeks to revolutionize conversations about substance use among students.
Tailored for fifth and sixth graders, the six-week initiative taught by Orange County deputies delves deep into the complexities of substance abuse and the lasting effects it can have on youth. Thirty-seven schools in Orange County, both private and public, are enrolled in the program.
“The primary philosophy of Above the Influence is to provide reliable information about the dangers of substance use to increase the perception of harm and help kids make better decisions growing up,” Gunsolley said. “Above the Influence increases protective factors such as discussing healthy alternatives to substance use and assertiveness training, so kids are better equipped to advocate for their well-being.”
First implemented in 2021, Gunsolley’s curriculum, developed through extensive research and help from local universities, addresses addiction’s roots while informing the students about the dangers of drugs, all with the hope of promoting healthier lives.
The curriculum highlights the main substances that fifth and sixth graders could face or already might come into contact with, such as alcohol, marijuana, nicotine and opioids, in addition to the dangers of fentanyl.
Participating students convene weekly for an hour at a time and learn about a different subject, or “unit,” each week. For example, one unit, dubbed “assertiveness and refusal skills,” allows students to practice how to confidently refuse when confronted with substances through open discussions and role-playing scenarios. Other units include “addiction,” “tobacco vaping and e-juice” and “marijuana and medication abuse.”
The program has been designed to meet all the California state standards for Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drugs health curriculum, which is required to be taught to all grades under the state education…
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