Objectives/Purpose:

Decrease the drop out rate in the Bellingham Public School District, currently 1:4 will not graduate
Identify internal motivation, goals, and dreams and evaluate whether some form of education might support their goals
Help them to identify any incongruences between their goals and their behaviors (such as skipping school, dropping out, using drugs, etc...)
Learn and increase their ability to RESPOND to situations vs REACTing to them, decreasing their vulnerability to impulsivity (PAUSE between the Urge and the Action)

Decrease the impact of alcohol and drugs on middle and high school students by creating an environment in which they can critically analyze and question:

Their own drug and/or alcohol use, the pros/cons, cost/benefit
Drug and/or alcohol use within families and society
Gain a deeper understanding of the Neurobiology of addiction and other addictive or compulsive behaviors

Decrease reliance on the juvenile justice system by implementing earliest possible interventions by educating schools, families, probation officers and the larger community.