Continuing an almost two decade-long partnership, the Mankato School Board approved a contract renewal with Addiction Recovery Technologies on Monday.

Serving all five of Mankato’s secondary schools — East Senior High, East Junior High, West Senior High, Dakota Meadows and Mankato Central — Addiction Recovery Technologies (ART) addresses the issues and problems associated with chemical use and dependency. ART and its Mankato officers, Michael McGinnis and Leah Root, provide such services as chemical health assessments, community referrals, education, consultation and skill-building.

Services were offered to 164 students within the district, 34 who were involved with interventions that resulted in referrals to chemical dependency programs and mental health services.

“We are so fortunate to have (ART) as a resource to help students and families,” said Mankato Superintendent Ed Waltman.

During Monday’s meeting, McGinnis presented his annual year-end report to the board.

McGinnis reported that gender played little role in the identification or referral process with 77 females and 87 males participating in the program. The two mainstream junior highs — East Junior High and Dakota Meadows — also had similar numbers: 12 and 13 participants, respectively.

McGinnis also noted that, in general, methamphetamine use is down while abuse of pharmaceutical drugs is up among students.

“The increase of pharmaceutical use is a very important change,” McGinnis said during his presentation. “This is something that is not just happening in Mankato, but is happening nationally.”

Much of McGinnis’ report to the board, however, centered around ART’s prevention strategy. ART proposes a broad-based approach to prevention that includes community, individual and social factors. McGinnis stressed the importance of a stable home environment, social resistance skills and community involvement.

“This is a reality in every community,” Waltman said. “But not every community is fortunate enough to have services like ours.”

The service costs the district $41,000 and is included in the budget under the Federal Drug Education Grant and Safe Schools Levy Program.