St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office Launches Futures Project to Keep Kids on Right Path

New program focuses on teaching consequences of bad decisions, addressing student needs

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office, in partnership with the local school board, has launched a new program called the Futures Project aimed at helping young people in the community stay out of trouble. The 10-lesson curriculum covers topics like substance abuse prevention, bullying, conflict resolution, and future planning, with the goal of building relationships with students and addressing their underlying needs.

Why it matters

The Futures Project is being introduced as local governments grapple with high levels of youth crime and the challenges of juvenile detention. By proactively engaging with students and providing them with the tools to make better decisions, the program aims to steer young people away from harmful behaviors and keep them on a positive path.

The details

The Futures Project curriculum was developed by Lt. Oscar West and Sgt. Ashleigh Wilson of the Sheriff's Office and is being implemented for students in 8th through 12th grade alternative programs, 5th graders at two elementary schools, and students at two private schools. The program focuses on building relationships with students and addressing their underlying needs, with the belief that 'behind every unwanted behavior is a need' that can be met through the program's teachings.

  • The Futures Project was officially launched on February 24, 2026.

The players

Gary Driskell

The St. Mary Parish Sheriff who announced the launch of the Futures Project.

Dr. Rachael Sanders

The Superintendent of the St. Mary Parish School Board, who partnered with the Sheriff's Office on the new program.

Lt. Oscar West

A member of the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office who helped develop the Futures Project curriculum.

Sgt. Ashleigh Wilson

A member of the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office who helped develop the Futures Project curriculum.

Dr. Karyn Purvis

The director of the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at Texas Christian University, whose quote was cited in the program's launch.

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What they’re saying

“We want to be friends with them and share knowledge with them and keep them on the right path.”

— Gary Driskell, St. Mary Parish Sheriff (stmarynow.com)

“Behind every unwanted behavior is a need.”

— Dr. Karyn Purvis, Director, Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at Texas Christian University (stmarynow.com)

“We begin to understand that when we can address those needs, then we can create a path where we can meet those students' needs.”

— Lt. Oscar West, St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office (stmarynow.com)

“We want the kids not only to think about now, but also the choices they make now and what it can lead to in the future.”

— Sgt. Ashleigh Wilson, St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office (stmarynow.com)

What’s next

The Futures Project curriculum will continue to be rolled out to additional grade levels and schools in the St. Mary Parish school system over the coming months.

The takeaway

By proactively engaging with students, addressing their underlying needs, and teaching them about the consequences of their actions, the Futures Project aims to steer young people in St. Mary Parish away from harmful behaviors and keep them on a positive path, addressing the community's challenges with youth crime.