The Aberdeen School District has a special resource available to students to help them make good choices when it comes to the temptations of drugs and alcohol. They're called Prevention Resource Specialists.

Being young often comes with pressure and temptation. As a result, some kids make bad choices and experiment with cigarettes, drugs and alcohol. When that happens in the Aberdeen School District, students often meet with Prevention Resource Specialists. Three specialists are available through a partnership with Avera St. Luke's.  Aberdeen School Superintendent, Dr. Gary Harms says, "Not only do the specialists do the counseling, but they also go into classrooms and do some type of instruction within the classrooms themselves."

So while there's a focus on helping those who've already made bad decisions, there's also an emphasis on prevention. The Resource Specialists are working to dispell the belief that all kids are using. In actuality, about 20% are. They also work with students themselves to put a focus on positive peer pressure, in attempt to keep kids in Aberdeen on a clean and sober road to adulthood. The Prevention Resource Specialists recently used radio ads to address the dangers of drunk driving. Their next effort: getting the word out about seat belt use.