Youth Prevention Education Evidence-Based Model Program Overview
This document provides a summary of the implementation conditions and parameters for each SUPP-approved model program.
This program is interactive and seeks to address the root causes of risky behavior. Lessons match the social and cognitive development of students and address experimenting with substances, fighting, bullying and initiating sexual activity. Key program strategies include accurate beliefs about peer norms, perception of how substance abuse affects preferred lifestyles, a commitment to stay substance-free, and social and peer bonding. Materials are available in English and Spanish. Training is available online.
Botvin LifeSkills Training (LST) is a research-validated substance abuse prevention program proven to reduce the risks of alcohol, tobacco, drug abuse, and violence by targeting the major social and psychological factors that promote the initiation of substance use and other risky behaviors. LST is taught through lecture, discussion, coaching and skill practice. Workbooks are used for student learning and activities. The website offers a planning workbook and guide that shows how the program is aligned with educational learning standards. Training is available online.
The Botvin LifeSkills Training (LST) High School program is a highly interactive, skills-based program designed to promote positive health and personal development for youth in grades 9 or 10. The LST High School program uses developmentally appropriate, collaborative learning strategies to help students achieve competency in the skills that have been shown to prevent substance use, violence, and other health risk behaviors. Training is available online.
Lions Quest Skills for Adolescents is a multi-component, comprehensive life skills education program designed for school-wide and classroom implementation in grades 6-8. The website’s promotion and resource page offers guidance on planning service-learning projects, program-specific handouts, curriculum maps and correlation guides (state learning standards, social and emotional learning standards, character education, etc.).
Project ALERT is a school-based alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana prevention program for 7th and 8th graders. The program is taught using videos, small-group activities, question-and-answer sessions, role-playing and the practice of new skills to stimulate students’ interest and participation. Online training, posters, toll-free phone support and downloadable resources are available to those that purchase the training/curricula package. Materials are available in English and Spanish.
Project Northland is a school-based program for 6th – 8th graders designed to delay the age when youth begin drinking, to reduce use among young people who have tried alcohol, to limit the use of other drugs and to reduce alcohol-related problems. The program is taught using audiocassettes, comic books, posters, and peer-led small group discussions.
Class Action serves as an extension of the Project Northland curriculum series and can only be used as a supplement with 9th – 12th graders following Project Northland.
Project TND focuses on motivation, skills, and decision-making factors that predict tobacco, alcohol and other drug use, violence-related behaviors, and other problem behaviors among youth. Project TND was designed for implementation in an alternative high school classroom-based setting. The program may be implemented for students in an alternative or regular high school setting. Two-day formal training by the developers is highly recommended. Materials are available in English and Spanish.
Too Good for Drugs is a 5-8 grade school-based program that gives students the knowledge, skills, and attitudes they need to make good decisions and avoid drug use. The curriculum includes lesson objectives and script, evaluation tools, lesson extenders (including applications for mathematics, life sciences, and language arts), supplemental resources, and a parent component to reinforce skills at home. Website resources include a correlation between each lesson and Illinois physical development and health standards.
Too Good for Drugs in High School provides teenagers with real-world challenges faced in high school by exploring practical guidance for understanding the negative health effects related to prescription drug misuse, underage drinking, marijuana abuse, opioid abuse, and nicotine use. Students also explore the stages of addiction and the risks associated with experimentation. Social-Emotional skill development promotes social awareness and self-awareness to equip teens to evaluate the social and peer influences they face. Interactive activities challenge students to explore healthy alternatives to unhealthy risks as they work to reach their goals. Website resources include a correlation between each lesson and Illinois physical development and health standards.
Note: One copy of each approved model program is available to review at Prevention First's Springfield and Chicago offices. For more information, please call 800.252.8951.