Drums Not Drugs 860.408.4352 / 965.5841/ 965.5547Gerard Hector, Directorwww.drumsnotdrugs.com

© 2004 by DND. All rights reserved.

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HHooww IIss DDrruummmmiinnggPrevention?

Research suggests that students involved in artsprogramming do better in school and are lesslikely to engage in risky behaviors. According tothe Department of Education, “cultural projectswhich involve young people in an exploration oftheir neighborhood and its history allow them togain a better understanding of their family,ancestors and community. They develop bonds totheir community and a sense of civic pride...”

“...Through performing, exhibiting and teaching others their newfound skills, youth come to see themselves as having valuable contributions tomake to their communities. A study of several prevention programs found that young peoplewere attracted to programs that emphasized cultural heritage, sports or the arts – programsthat embedded prevention messages in the contextof other activities rather than addressing it directly.In addition, young people who participate in theatergroups, choirs, bands and other arts and humanitiesprograms are more likely to stay in school and toavoid harmful behaviors.”

“It is a privilege tobe able to share my

culture and my passion for

drumming with kidsand to see them

develop as leaders,motivated to share

their knowledge withothers.”

Gerard Hector,Master Drummer of

AJALI

Drums Not Drugs staffGerard Hector/Founder & Director

Program Instructors/Members of AJALI (Professional folk group from Trinidad)

Gerard Hector/Master Drummer & Lead InstructorNeal Joseph/Drum Instructor

Kathy-Ann Belcon/Drum & Dance Instructor

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The accessibility of hand drum building and playing, even to those with no musical training, enables students to experience instant success. These percussion activities can be enjoyable and motivating toanyone, regardless of ethnic or cultural background, musicalpreferences or age, and are useful in creating a strong senseof group identity and a feeling of belonging. The veryprocess of building a djembe drum builds competence andconfidence, as students perform many small tasks and feela repeated sense of accomplishment and completion.

The Drums Not Drugs program, led by AJALI of Trinidad, provides a unique team-building experiencewhile touching upon history, diversity and the arts. Rhythmbased practices are a natural way to provide young peoplewith opportunities to creatively channel and release emotionsand frustrations. The drum circle is an ideal vehicle forworking collaboratively, as students have to learn andpractice together — and depend on each other for suc-cess. Social interaction skills are developed, improving communication and relationships with others.

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“Acquiring new skillsof making and playing

an instrument is a rewarding

experience that provides youth with a

great sense ofaccomplishment and

self-eesteem.”Pam Mautte,

Director/VSAACAnsonia, CT

Program Director:Gerard Hector

Gerard Hector Artist-in-Residence at the Ethel WalkerSchool (Simsbury, CT) initiated the development inorder to welcome AJALI, a professional folk groupfrom Trinidad. In wanting to utilize the talents ofAJALI, he developed drumming programs thatserve at-risk youth throughout the state. He is thefounder and director of Drums Not Drugs program.

InstructorsThe members of AJALI, a professional folkgroup from Trinidad, have been in the U.S.since September of 2000, as the long-termartists-in-residence at the Ethel WalkerSchool. They have performed and led Afro-Caribbean drum/dance workshops atschools, summer camps, festivals and both community and corporate events throughout theNortheast. In addition, they are the sole instructors forDrums Not Drugs, an educational youth program in which students develop leadership and job training skills throughthe building and playing of West African hand drums.

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Drums Not Drugs helps to foster links between non-profit organizations and the business community,creating learning opportunities for youth and adults.

ApplicationsDrums Not Drugs has enabled agencies to reach objectivessuch as providing entrepreneurial experiences, therapeuticinterventions, community service projects, recreationalactivities and multicultural awareness. The program promotes such themes as leadership development, peer mentoring, substance abuse and violence prevention.

Program CostsProgram costs are determined by the desired length ofthe program, the total number of participants andwhether or not drum building is included.

Time FrameProgram time frames can be worked out on a flexible,as needed basis. One-day workshops are also available.

Dance ComponentKathy-Ann Belcon, professional dancer & choreographer of AJALI, can provide Afro-Caribbeandance instruction as part of any drumming program orone-day workshop.

““WWee sseerrvvee cchhiillddrreennwwiitthh ssoocciiaall &&

bbeehhaavviioorraall cchhaalllleennggeess,,eemmoottiioonnaall iissssuueess,, eevveenn

mmeennttaall ddiissaabbiilliittiieess,,wwiitthh eeaacchh cchhiilldd

ffuunnccttiioonniinngg aatt aa ddiiffffeerreenntt lleevveell.. YYoouurr

ddrruummmmiinngg pprrooggrraammhhaass eennaabblleedd aallll ooff oouurr

cchhiillddrreenn ttoo ppaarrttiicciippaattee ttooggeetthheerr..

VVeerryy ffeeww aaccttiivviittiieessccaann aacchhiieevvee tthhiiss wwhhiillee

aatt tthhee ssaammee ttiimmee pprroodduuccee ssuucchh ppoossiittiivvee

rreessuullttss..””

Molly Leahy, SchoolPsychologist at

Connecticut Children’sPlace

East Windsor

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Public performances serve as a great incentive and helpto raise confidence in the players and the group.Students discover that if they focus on a goal they canachieve it. Drumming illustrates this self-discovery andpromotes self-confidence through the successful completion of the Drums Not Drugs program. Youth areable to mark their accomplishment by recording theirown professional CD. Student leaders are empowered togive back to their communities by performing, leadingworkshops and facilitating drum circles in a variety ofsettings.

Targeted GroupsAt risk youth, all ages

Program SettingsAfter School ProgramsResidential ProgramsCommunity ProgramsFoster Care SettingsJuvenile Justice Settings

Curriculum LinksSocial StudiesHealth & Physical EducationMusic & Dance

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The drumming program will be evaluated by the Drums Not Drugs staff and the students involved. Success will be defined by changes in student behavior.Anger management and communication skills will bedemonstrated by positive resolution of conflicts occurringbetween students and their peers. The acquiring of internaldiscipline and control will be evidenced by reduction inimpulsive interruptions during instructional sessions.Success will also be defined by the self-reporting of theexperience of students participating in the program.Students will complete a self-assessment survey beforeand after the program in order to measure changes.

Drums Not Drugs Prevention ProgramEach Student Receives:

• Hand-carved African djembe drum (avg. size 12" x 24")• Protective carrying case• Performance wear• CD of groups’ recording• Personalized certificate of completion

Each School or Organization Receives:

• Interactive performance by AJALI and students• A drum corps of accomplished students able to

teach, perform and continue drumming together asa group

Student CD’s, T-shirts and other related merchandisewould be available to sell as part of any fundraiser.

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In the drum-building program, students receive allmaterials necessary for crafting their own drumincluding an authentic hand-carved African djembeshell, rings, head, rope and fabric. It is an art in andof itself to “rope a drum.” Students will learn theintricacies of lacing and tuning their drums, as wellas the maintenance required thereafter. Once all thedrums are prepared, students then devote themselveslearning how to play world rhythms in a drum circle.After they record their own professional CD, studentsare ready to perform and/or conduct a workshop intheir community.

For example, The Valley Substance Abuse ActionCouncil was awarded grants from the KatherineMatthies Foundation and the Community Foundationfor Greater New Haven to implement the Drums NotDrugs program at the Tinney Community Center inAnsonia, CT. In just seven weeks during twelve two-hour sessions, students built their own djembedrums, learned a variety of world rhythms, recordedtheir group CD and performed at several communityevents.

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“Participating indrumming hashelped to cut

through the toughouter facade that

many of our childrendisplay, making ourstaff better able to

deal with the otherissues our kids face

day to day.”Paul Veerman,

Director of DevelopmentThe Children’s Home

Cromwell, CT

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It is anticipated that by the end of the program, youthwill have increased their ability to concentrate andfocus, to tolerate challenges and frustration, and tocomplete designated tasks with varying degrees ofdifficulty. Students will experience success and buildtheir self-esteem. They will learn skills that assist in thedevelopment of self-control. The combination of theseskills will promote success in school, and willincrease the likelihood of graduation from highschool and positive participation in the community.

The Drums Not Drugs instructors serve as adult rolemodels, creating supportive connections for youth. Peerrelations will also be strengthened. The experience offeeling oneself an integral part of a positive group canthen be generalized to life outside the program and willresult in increased self-confidence when students interactin the larger community.

Program Outline(Based on meeting one time per week)

First 12-week cycle• Aminimum of 10 students and a maximum of 20 will participate in the program.

Second 12-week cycle• Up to 10 graduates from the first cycle who wish to continue will become apprentices.

• A minimum of 10 new students will participate in the program.

Third 12-week cycle• Up to 10 graduates from the second cycle who wish to continue will become apprentices.

• A minimum of 10 new students will participate in the program.

• Apprentices from the second cycle may be hired as youth instructors or return to theirown communities in order to perform and to lead workshops.

Any given cycle could be incorporated into a summer program, where new students canjoin the program and apprentices/youth instructors have employment opportunities.*

Benefits For Youth Participants and Sponsoring Organizations• Youth will participate in a quality program with an anti-substance abuse theme

to be held during high risk after school hours.

• Youth will have a unique team-building experience while touching upon history,diversity and the arts.

• Students will learn technical and social skills that they can apply to other aspects oftheir lives.

• Organizations would have their own music group made up of local talent that can be featured at many events. The organization will also be promoted when performances take place.

• Because the program is built on a train-the-trainer model, youth are involved in teachingothers how to perform and lead workshops in a variety of settings.

• Organizations can involve the youth drum corps in corporate partnerships; for example, student leaders can gain experience by performing or facilitating drum circles at companies.

* The drumming program can potentially provide youth employment opportunities.

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“I learned a new talentthat I have.

I learned I can actuallyget into something if

I really, really like it.I learned someone

can show respect andcan get respect back

without having tothink about it.”

Kenyon Beene, age 14Ansonia, CT

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