Many people know the MPRC for the print and video resources they receive from us. However, the MPRC also provides education and training through various programs. One of those programs is Taking Control.
Taking Control is a peer education program that addresses the issue of drinking or drug use while driving or riding. The goal of the program is to educate young people about the dangerous relationship between these activities. The program is based on the premise that young people value being in control, and that specific skills for dealing with these high risk situations are necessary.
The day-long Taking Control seminars train teams of three students and one adult from schools across Minnesota. After completing the training, the students are ready to go back to school to educate their peers.
Pat Irsfeld teaches Driver and Safety Education at Marshall Senior High School. Irsfeld says the school has been teaching students to "take control" since the program was first offered back in the late '70s.
The school sends two teams of three high school juniors to be trained each year. These students then serve as peer educators during their junior and senior years. In this way, the school always has 12 peer educators (six juniors and six seniors) ready to work with their classmates. At Marshall Senior High School, the peer educators go into the driver and safety education programs for three days of peer-to-peer training.
Irsfeld estimates that these 12 students reach over 200 students annually. Add to this equation the fact that this program has been in effect for about 20 years, and the numbers become quite impressive.
However, it's not just about numbers. Irsfeld views the program as effective for other reasons, as well, saying that because of Taking Control, "Kids understand that they have a positive role model, and hopefully good choices will be made as a result."