Prevention through Alternative Learning Styles (PALS) is a school-based prevention program for middle school students. Teachers or PALS staff members lead students through five units, presented in ten lessons, which cover the following topics: learning styles and differences, effects of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs on the brain and body, peer pressure, and healthy choices. A supplemental website provides additional lessons and a peer mentoring program with interaction games and presentations. The overall goals are (1) reducing intentions to use substances, (2) increasing students’ use of refusal skills, and (3) enhancing students’ knowledge of the effects of ATOD, peer pressure and healthy decision-making, and different learning styles.
Creating Lasting Family Connections
Creating Lasting Family Connections (CLFC) is a substance use prevention program that can be used in school or community settings. It is designed for youth ages 9 to 17 and their families, who complete six modules of curriculum over 18-20 weekly sessions. Trainers cover topics such as ATOD education/awareness, communication and conflict resolution skills, coping mechanisms to resist negative social influences, encouraging use of community services, and delaying the onset and reducing the frequency of alcohol and other drug use among youth. Participants may be referred to community services as appropriate. The overall goal is to increase family use of community services, change knowledge and beliefs about alcohol and drug use, and promote abstinence.
Family Matters
Family Matters is a home-based substance use prevention program designed for youth ages 12 to 14 and their families. Through mailed booklets and telephone consultations with a health educator, families learn to communicate about tobacco and alcohol use, media/peer influences, and general family characteristics and rules. The overall goal is delayed onset or abstinence from alcohol and cigarettes.
Healthy Workplace
Healthy workplace is a workplace-based substance abuse prevention program designed for adults who are not substance-dependent. Small group sessions with video and print materials cover topics such as unsafe drinking, illegal drug use, prescription drug use, and healthy lifestyle practices. The overall goal is for employees to increase healthy lifestyle behaviors while reducing or eliminating substance use.
Keep a Clear Mind
Keep a Clear Mind (KACM) is a take-home drug education program for youth ages 9 to 11 and their parents. The four lessons are: alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and tools to avoid drug use. Children receive incentives for completion of the lessons and parents receive support and resources through a newsletter and a program facilitator. The overall goal is to help children develop specific skills to refuse and avoid use of “gateway” drugs.
Keepin’ it REAL
Keepin’ it REAL is a multicultural, school-based substance use prevention program for students 12-14 years old. Trained classroom teachers lead students through a 10-lesson narrative and performance-based curriculum, which draws from communication competence theory and a culturally grounded resiliency model to incorporate traditional ethnic values and practices that protect against substance use. The overall goal is to help students assess the risks associated with substance use, enhance decision-making and resistance strategies, improve anti-drug normative beliefs and attitudes, and reduce substance use.
