Drug abuse prevention programs aimed at children and adolescents are numerous. In addition to various national organizations, smaller local organizations and chapters exist to provide targeted support in high-risk locations. Many programs are universal and are designed to prevent the use of many different drugs in many subsets of the population. Other groups are more targeted, and may focus on preventing use of specific drugs or drug use in specific segments of the population.
Project ALERT
Project ALERT is aimed at middle school students grades 6 to 8. The program is divided into 11 sessions, and incorporates teacher lectures, mentorship from older teenagers, role-playing exercises and instructional videos. The project's goal is to reduce the use of gateway drugs in the youth population, which the organization identifies as alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and chemical inhalants. There is a large focus on the social element of drug use, and Project ALERT aims to give young teenagers the tools necessary to reject social pressures that influence the use of drugs.
Adolescents Training And Learning to Avoid Steroids
Adolescents Training and Learning to Avoid Steroids, or ATLAS, is a program that targets male high school athletes in an effort to reduce anabolic steroid use. The organization focuses on teaching alternatives to drugs, such as healthy eating habits and training guides. ATLAS also provides instruction to adults--such as coaches and athletes' parents--surrounding how to spot steroid use, and steps to take to discourage teen use of steroids. The lessons are divided into 10 45-minute sessions designed for coaches to facilitate.
Drug Abuse Resistance Education
Drug Abuse Resistance Education, or D.A.R.E., is a comprehensive program that targets students in fifth grade. The program is comprehensive, and includes lessons about rejecting peer pressure to smoke tobacco, abuse drugs, use inhalants and consume alcohol. D.A.R.E. also includes a component of general health awareness with the goal to make students better understand their healthy choices. Unlike many other programs, D.A.R.E. lessons are facilitated by police officers. Students in the program are encouraged to provide anonymous tips to their D.A.R.E. officer regarding drug use among their peers. The D.A.R.E. officer must then report these tips to other authorities for investigation.
Coping Power
Coping Power is an organization that attempts to stop drug use among children and teens by reducing the risk factors that generally lead students into drug use. The organization provides guides to for parents or educators to facilitate after-school activities designed to help fifth- and sixth- grade students cope with negative stimuli that may lead to drug abuse. Lessons target dealing with anger, anxiety, peer pressure, impulse control and problem-solving skills. The lessons also include special activities meant for students to do with their parents to enhance skill-building and to provide an adult to whom the child may go for support.
