Project Graduation

[2] Project Graduation emerged in the Oxford Hills area (Paris/Norway) of Maine, in 1980, the result of community energies empowered through a state initiative.

The thrust of program was to help schools and communities locally address problems associated with alcohol and other drugs.

One of these teams, the Drug and Alcohol Team of Oxford Hills (DATOH), aimed to prevent recurring tragedies as Oxford Hills had experienced the previous year (1979), when seven alcohol and other drug related teen deaths occurred during the commencement season.

The seniors were offered an alternative to the "traditional" graduation-night drinking event that drew hundreds of people to the local fair grounds.

The entire process, a huge success, was covered by the news media and was adopted as a major program initiative of the Division of Alcohol and Drug Education Services.

Through the work of the division and Maine 's communications media, other schools and communities became involved in Project Graduation the following year.

Iowa became involved through the leadership of Dr. John Artis, former Skowhegan Area High School Principal.

The primary aims of Project Graduation activities are to increase awareness of the dangers of drinking, drugging and driving and to reduce the number of youth involved in alcohol and other drug-related highway crashes.

It is a communitywide planning process that strives to create a caring, supportive environment and more open communication between youths and adults."