DeBakey Drug Education Vehicle

Experience Overview/Summary

“The importance of early intervention and
education is the critical corner stone to reducing the substance abuse epidemic. This unique platform gives today’s tech savvy youth an engaging environment that captures their attention and communicates to them at their level.”
Larry Little, Ph.D., LPC, NCC

“Getting through to today’s youth takes a new approach and new ideas. This mobile system breaks new ground for innovation and implementation in the constant battle to persuade and empower young minds to avoid drugs.”
Melissa Hambrick Jackson, LPC, NCC

Making the right decision under pressure for anyone is tough. For a child it is even tougher but it is a decision that can change the rest of their life. Simply telling children to ‘Say no to drugs’ isn’t enough. They have to understand what is at stake for them and know the impact of this instant decision. What they need is confidence and the information to make the best decision.

We’ve developed a tool to help them make the right choice.

Somerset Group, in partnership with Southern Custom Exhibits and Peter Feher Design, has developed an immersive learning environment platform for late-elementary and middle school children that grabs their attention. The programs presented were developed in collaboration with a team of child psychologists and utilize the most current approaches to reaching
today’s youth.

The programs provide pre-visit orientation material that sets the stage for what the students will experience and gathers basic statistical data of their current attitudes. This data can provide valuable insight into the effectiveness of the program and a portal into the attitudes of today’s youth.

Once kids get into the vehicle, they experience a 40-minute, in-vehicle presentation consisting of two parts – an animated, interactive theater presentation on the “Gateway Drugs” followed by expanded content at the “Learning Stations” where they gather more in-depth information on specific dangers of each drug. In addition, they view real life refusal skills demonstrated by kids their own age.

All of this is followed up with post-event materials that test the impact of experience and provide statistical data to quantify effectiveness.

The vehicle is a custom modified motor coach that has been totally reworked to provide a safe and reliable mobile classroom. The theater is a two bench seating area that can accommodate up to 12 students at a time in the 33-foot vehicle and up to 16 in the 42-foot version. The presentation area uses three large LCD monitors to provide a panoramic program in either an automated or manual mode that the presenter operates from a single, touch screen interface. The theater also has a few surprises like a surround sound speaker system, effects lighting and special enclosures containing organ specimens to clearly illustrate the negative side effects of substance abuse.

The “Learning Stations” are dual seat interactive touch screen kiosks that let the students further explore the consequences of substance abuse, learn refusal skills, and workthrough a few edutainment games to further reinforce the message of avoiding illegal drugs altogether.

The vehicle is equipped with its own generator, power management system, heating and air conditioning as well as amenities for the presenter while traveling, such as a small refrigerator and microwave oven. The vehicle also comes equipped with a lift and access door for persons that require a wheelchair for mobility. And all kiosks and media are ADA compliant
for accessibility.

This mobile classroom is currently tailored to late-elementary and middle school students to help them develop awareness and refusal skills. However, the platform is very flexible so that additional programs can be developed for specific substances such as Crystal Meth, prescription drugs, or any other substances. In addition the content can be modified to target other
age groups.

We are ready to provide your organization a platform and programs that will not only get the community’s attention but will provide you with the tools to measure and demonstrate success. Above all, it can arm children with the ability to understand why saying “No” is the only way to be their best self.