Drug Awareness Program "Woodland Tales"

The Concerned Kids Program

This program is appropriate for students ages 4 to 8 or in grades Kindergarten to 3. This three-part program consists of pre-presentation information, a 45 minute interactive, life-size puppet play and follow-up activities.

Woodland Tales: A Drug Awareness Fable Series

These puppet presentations are designed to build upon each story or stand alone. They compliment existing programs such as DARE - Drug Abuse Resistance Education, PACE - Police Assisted Community Education and VIP - Values, Influence and Peers as well as materials produced by the Ontario Canadian Associations of Chiefs of Police Drug Abuse Committees.

The Treasure

Content: Poison Proofing; Street Proofing

Casey, an inquisitive squirrel finds what she believes is a wonderful treasure. Helped by Henry, a gentle, giant bear, and his wife Pixie, Casey is led to Peter Raccoon (doctor), and finally to Trisha Owl (pharmacist).

The moral is: Things aren't always what they seem

Willie

Content: Street Proofing; Self Esteem

A new character is introduced to the woodland animals. Willie is the first magic dragon. His story is told by Henry, the gentle giant.

The moral is: If you believe in yourself, dreams can come true.

Pre-Presentation Activities

Discussion with the students prior to the presentations should focus on the theme of the chosen puppet show and general street proofing rules.

The basic poison proofing and drug information required to prepare for the presentations and also support material is available through your local Health Department, Health and Welfare Canada, The Addiction Research Foundation, Council On Drug Abuse, your local police service, the public or school library system and a host of other sources.

The Treasure

Objective:

• The students will be able to say four questions that will help prevent accidental poisoning.
• The students will be able to say that if they find something, it should be taken to someone that they trust.
• Street proofing concepts to ensure that parents know where you are will be reinforced.

Suggested discussion topics:

• What is a treasure?
• What should we do if we find something?
• What is a drug?
• Where can we go to get information?

Willie

Objective:

• Students will be able to state that if they believe in themselves, they can have their dreams come true.
• Students will be able to state that true friends listen with their hearts, they don't make fun of their friends.

Suggested discussion topics:

• How do we feel when we are told we can't do something that we really want to do?
• What is it like to be really different from everyone else?
• Can you think of ways that you are different from everyone else?
• What rules are we taught to keep us safe (road safety, stranger safety etc.)

Post-Presentation

There are a number of follow-up activities that are included in the package.

After students have participated in the puppet performance there are a number of activities that can be done with the young people to stimulate discussion on the topic of drug awareness and deepen their understanding of the problems faced by persons with drug problems.