By Derrick Forsythe, Record Staff Writer
Responding to an outcry from community members, the Warren County Alcohol and Drug Reduction Support or WARS Coalition has been working to bring awareness to the issue of bullying among youth.The group’s latest effort took place Nov. 30 when it held a community forum at Black Hawk Middle School to provide strategies on how to combat the problem.“This is a community problem and not just a problem in schools,” said WARS Director and Black Hawk counselor Denise Richards.“Most cyber bullying takes place on social media in the evening and is then brought to school the next day,” Richards said. “We want to teach parents, students and community members how they can help.”WARS welcomed Julie Hook from the NCADA, a group that works to reduce or prevent the harms of alcohol and other drug use through education, intervention and advocacy. Hook shared a wealth of information with the approximately 100 people in attendance, engaging and fielding questions from the audience.“Julie has been helpful in providing technical assistance, training, resources and education to coalitions and their communities,” said Richards.Black Hawk Middle School Principal Lisa Pirrung also spoke to parents about the Bully Hotline, which has been in effect for a few years now and is completely confidential when students are texting or calling the hotline.Messages are then forwarded to principals and counselors so that an immediate response can take place.“The Bully Hotline has been very effective in reaching those kids who are in need emotionally and psychologically,” said Richards, who felt the event was well-attended and received positive feedback.“I believe parents have a better understanding of what their role is, whether their child is being bullied, or their child is a bystander, or if their child has been a bully,” she said. “The most effective intervention is the parent.”Richards, along with fellow counselor Toni Hawley, will be starting a support group Jan. 12. The program will run six weeks, with money from the WISE Foundation covering transportation costs.The target audience for this group will consists of students with concerns about bullying, students being bullied, and students who have been bullies themselves and want to change.“We want to give students the opportunity to address their feelings in a private setting,” said Richards.The counselors will facilitate the group by providing a topic and then students will discuss among the group their thoughts, feelings and ideas on how to make their environment more peaceful.The WARS (Warren County Alcohol and Drug Reduction Support) Coalition held an anti-bullying event at Black Hawk Middle School on Wednesday, Nov. 30. Pictured, Julie Hook from the NCADA (the program now serving the role of DARE), speaks to those in attendance about being aware and proactive when it comes to bullying. Derrick Forsythe photo.
