So far this September, Memphians have dealt with the discovery of a meth lab in a motel, the death of an eighth-grader as a result of a gang initiation and the gang activity threats of high school football players. These stories, and other events like them, led Toya Coppage to come up with a plan to educate the Memphis community.
"We are oblivious to think 'no, not Memphis,' but yes, it is in Memphis and yes, it is at our backdoor," she said.
Coppage is the professional and contract training specialist for the Office of Continuing Education. Throughout the year, Coppage designs courses and training that is geared towards providing healthcare information to the entire community.
Coppage worked with the Drug and Resistance Education (D. A. R. E.) unit and the Gang Resistance Education and Training (G. R. E. A. T.) unit of the Metro Police Department to prepare two seminars about drug and gang awareness.
The drug awareness seminar will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at 315 Patterson Hall. Topics include current effects, appearances and legal consequences of designer drugs.
The second seminar, titled "Street Signs: Gangs and Their Power," will include discussions about gang initiations and ways to recognize gang members. This seminar will be held at 315 Patterson Hall on Oct. 20th at 11 a.m.
Lt. Brenda Patterson of the D. A. R. E. and G. R. E. A. T. Units believes these seminars will help make the public more aware of the drug and gang problems in the Memphis area. Metro Police officers will conduct both programs.
Coppage encourages anyone to come, but said the content of the two classes is strictly for adults. In the past, some children who had participated in the class were hurt after trying to imitate the gang signs outside of the class.
"It would be beneficial to college students because it's a way to protect yourself and your loved ones," said Amelia Akpotu, senior computer engineering technology major.
"College students are at the age where they are expanding their horizons; it is important that they learn security and circumstances to avoid," Akpotu said.
There is a registration fee, but, according to Coppage, this is only to cover advertising expenses of the seminars.
"We ought to be involved in healthcare initiatives. They (drug and gang awareness seminars) are reasonably priced, because the content is relevant," Coppage said. The drug awareness and the gang related seminars are $15 each. Anyone interested can register online at the Office of Continuing Education Web site or on location.
Kevin Massey, freshman graphic design major, feels that the seminars could be helpful, but the cost will turn students away.
"It is different for college students," Massey said. "Anything that cost money is unattractive. You have to make it fun and not a lecture. Even though we are in college, we still have short attention spans."
