CHAMPS

C.H.A.M.P.S is an acronym that stands for Choosing Healthy Alternatives and Methods Promoting Safety.

The CHAMPS program, created by the Georgia Sheriffs' Association, was implemented by Sheriff Donny Turner and the Troup County School System in 2003 as a more flexible alternative to DARE. Troup was one of 5 counties to participate in the pilot year of CHAMPS, and since then it has spread to over 30 counties. Troup has one instructor, Deputy Samantha Duran, who teaches at six county elementary schools. It is a 12 week program, designed for 5th graders, during which children are encouraged to avoid violence and drugs. The lessons give facts about how things like bullying and drugs affect people, and also explain that all choices have consequences, such as violence and/or jail time. There is also a lesson on Internet Safety, designed to make children realize that although a computer can be beneficial, there are dangers on the internet they should be careful of. So far the feedback on this program has been very positive, and our hope is that this program will offer our children knowledge, and the tools to deal with many of the life altering situations they will encounter.