Program Overview
This prevention program was developed after years of working with parents, counselors and adolescents throughout the country in an effort at determining their needs for a substance abuse prevention tool within their homes and communities.
Many experts in the drug/alcohol prevention/treatment field have contributed to the development of the material included in this Program.
This Program emphasizes the influence that friends have on the choices we make concerning the experimentation with drugs and alcohol, the possible consequences of substance abuse and the denial that a problem even exists with our use of drugs and alcohol.
ADULTS:
This curriculum guide will assist parents/adults and teens in becoming involved in promoting a drug-free community.
Exercises 1 through 6 detail drugs/alcohol , their effects, the dangers and consequences of substance abuse, the choices we make concerning peer pressure and how a person can help a friend or family member that is abusing drugs/alcohol by using the intervention method.
Establishing PEER SUPPORT GROUPS is outlined and promoting a COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN is detailed. An anonymous drug abuse survey is provided.
YOUTH:
Life is simply a matter of choices, and every choice we make has a consequence. If we make wise choices, we will experience positive consequences. And, if we make unwise choices we can certainly suffer negative consequences for those choices. Some of the consequences from the choices we make can last a moment, while others can last a lifetime.
PARENTS:
Parents need to be aware that every child will be faced with the opportunity to experiment with drugs and/or alcohol. Studies indicate that 5%-7% of the fifth grade students in America have used drugs/alcohol or both. Most people experiment with mind altering substances the very first time with their best friends or family. Adolescents are easily persuaded due to peer pressure, and best friends are usually the people that provide the pressure to use. Young people want to fit in with the crowd, and sometimes this means participating in activities that do not conform to the belief system and values their parents have taught them.
Adults are provided with a guide for identifying substance abuse in adolescents and other family members. Also outlined are suggestions on how to communicate with teens concerning not only drugs and alcohol, but on other life issues as well. Adults are given directions on where to go for the answers to their questions concerning interventions and support groups.
Interested adults and adolescents can utilize the COMMUNITY ACTION PLANNING program in this curriculum guide in developing drug-free programs that work and are designed for each communities specific problems.
The 120 page Curriculum includes Chapters on:
Substance Abuse Prevention
The Intervention Process
Implementing Peer Support Groups
Facilitating Peer Support Groups
Activities For Peer Support Groups
Community Action Planning
Drugs of Choice
Drug Free Pledge
Drug Use Survey
Where To Call For Help