bottom line of MSAP is the saving of young lives
The impact of this program on the education of the individual being helped can be life saving, both literally and in terms of becoming a responsible, happy and productive adult. It is possible a whole community could be spared the trauma of a disaster such as recently occurred in Littleton, Colorado. The old proverb about an ounce of prevention is epitomized in the training teachers receive in the MSAP Seminars. Thank you, brother Masons, for supporting one of the world's most worthwhile programs for helping hurting kids.
Drug use, alcohol abuse, and suicides are problems in school districts all over our nation. These problems are affecting young people at all economic levels. Most school districts and municipalities have some type of program to educate children on the evils and consequences of the use of alcohol and drugs. Community agencies offer help to those who get too involved with mind altering substances. However, very few school districts or communities approach these problems at what could be called 'the entry level', or even recognize the basic reason many young people turn to drugs, alcohol, and suicide.
The Masonic Student Assistance Program (MSAP) is one of the few preventive programs that does attack the problem at the entry level. It is the reason MSAP has been so successful in other states. We Masons are saving young lives all over our nation. It is the reason Masons in South Dakota must continue to support MSAP. We have the most successful program in the state for preventing suicides and drug and alcohol abuse among children. Did you know that South Dakota is one of the leading states for suicides among young people? Young people turn to drugs and alcohol and suicide for similar reasons as will be explained.
Depression and stress are major factors in poor school performance and in early use of mind altering substances. A recent paper from Johns Hopkins University states that depression afflicts 1 to 3 percent of elementary and middle school children, and 5 percent of teens. Youngsters who develop depression and/or anxiety are three to four times more likely than their peers to have drug or alcohol abuse problems by their mid-twenties.
Kids know it is wrong to use drugs or to abuse alcohol. But if a kid is hurting and depressed because of a dysfunctional family, or for some other reason, and someone persuades them they will feel good and forget their problems if they get a little drunk, that kid is going to try it. The therapy does help for awhile. The same for drugs. And so the process starts.
There are early signs of depression and anxiety in children that, if recognized, can be addressed early. The intervention process can be started long before the child comes to the attention of authorities because of deportment or drug/alcohol use. That is what the Masonic Student Assistance Program trains teachers to recognize – the early signs of depression and anxiety. The program also trains teachers how to start the intervention process. Process is accentuated because it is a long-term procedure, particularly if the root cause of the depression cannot be controlled, i.e., a dysfunctional family.
When it occurs, most parents are not aware their children are in a state of depression or suffering from anxiety. It is the teachers who are in the best position to observe and recognize the early signs of these stresses. Teachers are with children for hours every day and can see changes in behavior patterns that clearly signal an existing problem.
In the recent tragic school shootings, teachers retrospectively said they knew there was a problem with the children involved, but didn't know they could help and didn't know what to do. Those children were hurting so much they tried to hit back at the society that was causing their pain. The MSAP Seminar shows teachers (and counselors and administrators) how each school can set up a team of people trained in the techniques of recognizing the hurting child and how to start the healing process.
This program was first developed in Pennsylvania in 1984. Drug use and the number of suicides among school aged children dropped drastically. It was so successful that today, by law, every school building in the state must have a team of teachers and staff trained in these techniques. The program has spread to twenty-six states. The first MSAP Seminar in South Dakota was held in Watertown January 5, 6 & 7 1999. It was attended by teams from 14 school districts. Written comments from teachers that attended were printed in a recent issue of the Masonic Messenger. The comments were very complimentary. Some long time educators said it was the most interesting and informative seminar they had ever attended.
Art Parsons, Secretary
Drug & Alcohol Abuse Committee
If any Lodge in South Dakota would like to have a speaker to promote MSAP at a Lodge meeting, Brother Art will travel from Watertown to speak and answer questions. The next MSAP Seminar will be held in Huron in October. Could the schools in your community benefit from this training?
FROM AN ATTENDEE WHO HAPPENS TO BE A MASON:
a report from WBr Dale Fiedler of Redfield SD, PM of Zenith Lodge 202 at Tulare.
Most recently I had the privilege of attending the first Masonic Student Assistance Program (MSAP) workshop held in Watertown. As most of you know, this is our new program initiated by the Grand Lodge to train educators in helping to learn intervention of students demonstrating "at risk" behavior such as drug and alcohol abuse. I am fortunate that I can give my assessment from two perspectives, that as an educator who has been part of a local SAP team and as a Mason.
Just to give you a brief background of myself, I have been an educator for 22 years in the Redfield Public School system and a member of its SAP team since its inception here 7 years ago. I am also a member of Zenith Lodge #202 in Tulare and am a Past Master of the Lodge.
As an educator I cannot recall attending a more organized, instructional and inspiring workshop. The reasons for this are numerous, but the number one reason must be the quality of the two men presenting the material. Thom Stecher is one of the co-founders of the original MSAP in Pennsylvania. His knowledge of the subject matter is unquestioned and his presenting techniques outstanding. He could have you laughing almost uncontrollably in one second and have you crying the next. The man was truly an inspiration and role model for us all. Gary Vermeier was extremely knowledgeable and had a quiet wit about him that everyone could appreciate. Together they trained us with enthusiasm and seriousness appreciated by all.
The material taught to us is very appropriate for our times. We are all concerned about our youth which is why this program was initiated. A Student Assistance Program is where a student assistance team consisting of teachers, counselors and administrators is organized for a number of reasons. These include assisting students with at risk behaviors (alcohol and drugs), improve the climate of schools and provide links with local and state agencies if needed. SAP teams have been in existence in my school for these very same reasons, but the additional insight and organizational skills taught at this workshop will be invaluable as we progress. Believe me when I tell you that every school needs an SAP team. There are no schools without "at risk" students in need of intervention, regardless of size. Sadly, I personally have seen a large increase in substance abuse in the many years I have taught. Every school received information concerning this workshop. Please contact your administrators and encourage them to send a team to the next one. Insist on it as parents and good community members concerned with the most precious resource we have, our children.
I can also tell you that at no time was I any more proud to be a Mason than I was while attending this workshop. The MSAP committee did a splendid job of organizing and attending to every participant's need. As you know, your contributions completely funded this event for every person there. Room and board was provided as well as the knowledge imparted to us. There were even fruit baskets in the rooms provided by Watertown's Vesta Chapter #1 of the Order of the Eastern Star. All these things made a huge impression on all that attended. I had never been asked so many questions about Masonry than during those three days. Many questions came from people who have Lodges right in their home town. I feel that this program can be a huge tool, not only to benefit our young people, but to show others exactly what Masonry is all about. Brotherly love, charity and a genuine concern for the youth of South Dakota will be demonstrated in a very public way. Educators will talk to other educators and the word will spread.
In closing, I must say that Masonry in South Dakota was exhibited at its best during this workshop. The expertise of the presenters, enthusiasm of the participants, the presence of the Grand Lodge officers to show commitment and the fantastic organization by the MSAP committee all became factors for a giant success. We MUST continue this program in our state to demonstrate Masonry's care and resolve to help our youth and promote what our ideals stand for. I have no doubt that it will help promote membership because of its principles and publicity. We have to spread the word and promote ourselves through programs such as these with our monetary support as well as word of mouth. Thank you very much for the opportunity to attend this workshop and again feel the importance of Masonry in my life.
Fraternally
Dale Fiedler
Messages sent to the Sioux Falls office by Chairman Larry Holmes after the workshop concluded:
Saturday, January 9 1999: "The Water-town workshop went off as scheduled and was most successful! Bills and info will be sent to the GL office as we receive them. It really hurts to have the money one minute but having to pay it out the next."
Thursday, January 14 1999: "I received a final graduate report from one of the participants and she stated that even before she could set up core teams, the information was put to good use. In effect, one student was saved from falling into the cracks as a result of the knowledge brought to bear on a situation that required immediate attention. It was so well written, I honestly had a couple of tears in my eyes. WOW! All that work, time, effort, etc. was really worth it."
The following comments typify the reaction of the attendees:
"Excellent workshop. … The program seems to be well thought out and should help kids."
Bob Sittig, (Baltic)"All material presented was important and well presented -- in and out of session. Support staff did a great job. Don't change a thing except maybe location."
Bruce McCoy (Bon Homme)"Wonderful experience, super program. Kids are what is important, not just teaching facts. You should push or suggest a school board member attend this workshop."
Tammie Paulson (Clark)"Please invite reps from Pierre, the Governor, etc. to next session. This process – for kids – needs to be in every district."
Mike Cullen (Elkton) "My suggestion would be to … ask the (South Dakota) Dept of Education in Pierre to attend one of these sessions!" Peggy Freidel (Elkton)"I not only enjoyed this workshop, I learned an enormous amount of information."
Patty Stoner (Gettysburg)"Speakers were terrific. All teachers should have this training. Masonic involvement was very good."
Steven Selchert (Hitchcock)"Super presenters! Made us feel like we were part of a team. I feel we were given super information to go back to our school and get a good start on setting up our program."
Mary Wortman (Hyde County)"Top of the line presenters. Excellent workshop. It has provided a sequential procedure to follow."
Paul Nelson (Lake Preston)"Very worthwhile and enjoyable experience. Information was well presented and will be beneficial. Thank you for your concern for our children."
Tia Dandreau (Mitchell)"This has been one of the best workshops I have attended in almost 30 years of teaching! Thank you so much for sponsoring it!"
Vonnie Richter (Redfield)"The 3 days were very well spent. The forms are very helpful – we can revise as we need. The cookbook approach is appreciated – it will be easier to get the SAP operating in our school."
Sharon Cornelius (Rosholt)"First of all, thank you for putting on a dynamite workshop. It is the "shot-in-the-arm" that our SAP needed. The fact that the Masons covered our expenses was wonderful. Speakers were excellent, very knowledgeable and experienced. Handouts are terrific "blueprints" for developing our own materials. Also, great information."
Andrée Johnson (Sioux Falls)"The seminar was much more than I expected. I observed it being an excellent road map for faculty to develop and integrate SAP for at-risk students. It offered teachers a needed ethical and legal stance for addressing sensitive and controversial issues faced daily. It gave much needed creative and experimental tools for teaching. I was most impressed with the treatment of the Wholistic Dimension – psychological, physical, emotional and spiritual! You provided an excellent tool to nurture hope versus despair."
Jan LaPlante, OSB (Watertown and HSA)"This was excellent! WOW! Do I ever have ideas to get moving on! We have so much groundwork to lay and then to get moving! We owe it to our students to develop a S.A.P."
Jane Krogman (White River)
CUSTOMIZED ADDRESS RETURN LABELS is primary fund-raiser for MSAP
Even if you’ve contributed before. Even if you really don’t need more address-return labels at this time: please send a small check to PO Box 468 / Sioux Falls SD 57101-0468. Even if it’s only for a penny a day, say $3.65! Larry Carlson will acknowledge with an appropriate number of sheets of labels.