CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Tiffany Green
Critical Analysis Report: Ravens Fly Above Drugs
Wilmington University
Professor Linda Payne

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Ravens Fly Above Drugs Wellness Campaign 2015

The Ravens Fly Above Drugs wellness campaign came to existence due to the rise in
Heroin use, arrest and overdose of young people in Sussex County located in southern Delaware.
The wellness campaign team provides monthly evidence based drug prevention, education and
training to the students at Sussex Technical High School. There are currently 1,534 students
attending Sussex Tech High School. The team completes four forty-five minutes presentations to
4 different technical classes reaching roughly about 200 students. The students do provide
feedback, give personal testimonial at the end of the presentation. We asked each students to
complete an anonymous survey of their knowledge of drugs.
The Program Director, Purcell Dye is responsible for managing the program. Mr. Dye has
to implement the Delaware Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH) direct objectives and
goals outlined within the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) during presentations. He is
required monthly to submit narratives that explained the activities that we prepared, the Certified
Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) presenters, the prevention topic and quantitative feedback
from the anonymous Individualized surveys that we have the students complete. Finally he has to
submit invoices to our Strategic Preventative Framework-State Incentive Grant representative so
that we the presenters and team be compensated and drug prevention materials approved for
distribution.
If I was the director of the Ravens Fly Above Drugs wellness campaign, I would have
liked to have started the prevention awareness program at the beginning of the school year. It
was very unfortunately that the program didnt start on time due to not having a team in place to
implement services. If the services would have been implemented in time it, we would had been
able to establish a better relationship with the faculty and address all 1,534 students more than

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

once. What I have noticed that since the program started late some of the teachers show some
resistance in given up there instructional time for the presentations. The teachers do allow time
for the presentation because it is a positive message and the request of Dr. Demby, Sussex Tech
Principal but staff do expression that they would only like us to present for one period
throughout the rotation. If given the opportunity to start on time it would not seem so intrusive
on a teachers instructional time because there would have been enough time to present to each
of the teachers period rotation more than once. Also, if started on time I would have liked to been
able to purchase prevention materials such as banners, pamphlets and stickers so that when the
students arrived at school they would have been familiar with the program and understand our
justification of us being there. Finally, if I had an opportunity to be the director of the program, I
would have liked to have had a variety of Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselors as presenters.
The time didnt allow for a large selection of other CDACs who may have shown interested in
this opportunity to be a presenter for the students. CDCAs have to be committed to a full school
day during presentations. With not having enough time put constraints on recruiting potential
CDCAs presenters. They are many different presentation techniques that students can respond
to and a change in presenters could reach students who may have been disengaged with the last
presenter.
Currently the message behind the Ravens Fly Above Drugs wellness campaign is a
great initiative that aligns with the todays social epidemic of heroin use in the communities. The
program is intended to education the students with knowledge and empowerment, to make a
formal decision and understand the consequences. This campaign also targets those who are
display passive attitudes it provide students with alternatives when confronted with using drugs
who may surrender to pressure. Finally, during the presentations, it lets students openly to

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

discuss their involvement and or concerns with this epidemic. I would definitely keep the
message of preventative information the same, the students understand the message and provided
feedback on what they have heard.
If I was the director of the Raven Fly Above Drug wellness program I would continue
to seek funding from the state, because the objective is to help the community with a social issue
and because the state will sometimes allocate funds if it involves the great good of the
communities. But as Im learning during this internship some states dont always have the
funding to establish these types of programs if its not on the agenda of whos in office at that
time. Also, some social agendas are winding down therefore you have to wait for another social
initiative begins in order to create a program and request funding. Nevertheless, some state
officials may feel like other social issues are more crucial than others therefore if requesting
funding for any program it has to be in partnership with the states governments agenda to
possible be approved.
If I was the director of The Raven Fly Above Drugs wellness program, there are
specific qualities that I would look for when embracing a team to implement the message of
preventions. I would want to work with a team who is dedicated to making a difference who
doesnt minding working outside of their comfortabililty and who can bring new ideals to the
table. This is very important when creating a team to implement a social issue all views and
ideals are taken in consideration especially when trying to evoke change within a community. I
would need team who can empathize with the plight of susceptible people. Some professionals
arent so professional when working with a vulnerable population. It would be imperative to
have a compassionate, kind and knowledgeable team that is optimistic that everyone deserves an

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opportunity and each individual is different. I would want a team who will uphold the Ethical
Standard with excellence and evenness.
In conclusion, this internship has offered me an invaluable experience by providing me
opportunities to meet many law makers, program coordinators and knowledge of the
interworkings the state of Delaware Division of Substance Alcohol and Mental Health. I do
appreciate this opportunity, it hasnt made it any easier to choose which initiatives that I would
want to embrace but it has allow me an advantage by connecting me with the correct network of
people that I need to collaborate with.