Welcome to the Positive Peer Influencer (PPI) Program, a joint effort between The Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire, Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools, and our dedicated team at Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics (CNT). Our mission? Empowering Savannah's public high school students to become positive influencers to middle schoolers, guiding them toward healthy choices and resilient decision-making.
Our Positive Peer Influencers are the driving force behind this initiative. They embody responsible decision-making, adeptly navigating peer pressure while candidly discussing the repercussions of poor choices. Equipped with knowledge and empathy, they steer middle schoolers away from dangerous paths, offering guidance on embracing healthy lifestyles.
Central to our program is addressing the dangers facing today's youth, the insidious threat of fentanyl, which accounts for a staggering 84% of teen overdose deaths, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Through informative presentations, our Influencers shed light on this hazard, empowering middle school students to reject harmful substances and embrace safer alternatives.
In the spring semester of 2024, our inaugural group of Positive Peer Influencers from New Hampstead High School, Alfred E. Beach High School, Islands High School, and Herschel V. Jenkins High School underwent rigorous training provided by The Mediation Center and CNT staff. The PPI's mission is to engage students from middle schools that feed to their high school, forging a connection that transcends age and fosters an environment conducive to positive influence, continuing on as the middle school students advance to high school.
This program is aligned with the Georgia Department of Education's Health and Physical Education Program Standards, our program fulfills the State Board of Education's mandate for comprehensive substance use education across all grades. By facilitating open dialogues and nurturing constructive relationships, we empower students to make informed choices that pave the way for vibrant, fulfilling futures.
If you're a SCCPSS high school student who would like to learn more about how you can become a Positive Peer Influencer for the upcoming academic year, please contact Sherlisa Praylo at spraylo@mediationsavannah.com.
