RESOURCES: for Educators

Preventing the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD) is an important aspect of helping children to grow up safe and healthy. Schools play a big part in this prevention effort. At the same time, schools are under increasing pressure to meet rigorous academic standards, provide more extra-curricular activities, and use the latest technology—seemingly with fewer and fewer resources available.

This page is designed to help schools, teachers, and other educators make wise decisions about ATOD prevention, as well as to provide them with ideas and resources to develop a comprehensive school-based ATOD prevention program. 

 

Drug Use Among Lancaster County Youth

The starting point for any effort in substance abuse prevention is an understanding of the extent of the problem. While most sources provide data at the state and national level, the 2007 Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Youth Survey provides substance use and other behavioral data based on 9,000 students (6th, 8th, 10th and 12th grades) in thirteen Lancaster County school districts plus two private schools.

Highlights from the report include:

The three most popular substances in 2007 among Lancaster County eighth graders at the time of the survey were alcohol (12.4% of students indicate current use); cigarettes (5.1% of students indicated current use); and inhalants (4.4% of students indicated current use).

The three most popular substances in 2007 among Lancaster County twelfth graders at the time of the survey were alcohol (39.2% of students indicated current use); cigarettes (21.2% of students indicated current use); and marijuana (17.0% of students indicated current use).

Information from the survey and report are summarized in the following fact sheets:

 

School-Based Prevention

School-based prevention is one of the most effective approaches to reducing the use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs (ATOD). School -based prevention can be very effective as an approach because: (1) most ATOD use/abuse begins before the age of 20 and (2) schools are often the single best place to reach large numbers of people in this age group.

Effective and comprehensive school-based prevention programs help students develop social skills, decision-making skills, and coping skills, all of which are important tools for kids in avoiding ATOD use. Since kids are often at risk years before they actually use, prevention programs should begin as early as elementary school, with frequent re-enforcement throughout middle and high school.

Compass Mark has more information regarding substance abuse prevention and our prevention programs.

 

Drug-Free School Policy

Creating a drug-free school policy is both a legal necessity and an important component to creating a comprehensive drug and alcohol prevention plan.

  • Drug-Free School Policy 101
  • Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools- The OSDFS is part of the U.S. Department of Education and administers, coordinates, and recommends policy for improving quality and excellence of programs and activities. This web site provides information for school administrators, classroom teachers and parents.

 

School Drug Testing

Schools, administrators, and school boards are under increasing pressure to institute drug testing among students. While a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling (Pottawatomie v. Earls, 2002) allows for school drug testing of students involved in extra-curricular activities, other state laws and rulings (such as the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania ruling in Theodore v. Delaware Valley School District, 2002) call into question the legality of suspicionless drug testing of students.

Additionally, school drug testing has not proven itself as an effective approach to substance abuse prevention, despite claims by some to the contrary. School drug testing is a complex issue and it is important for school administrators and school boards to carefully consider a number of factors before adopting school drug testing of students. The links to the following documents will provide you with information on school drug testing from various perspectives (none of which are representative of the opinion of Compass Mark or our funders):

 

Student Assistance Program (SAP)

Student Assistance Program (SAP) is a Commonwealth-mandated program for the delivery of K-12 prevention, intervention and support services, primarily in the areas of substance abuse and mental health. SAP attempts to intervene at the earliest stages of a problem, thereby reducing student risk factors, promoting protective factors and increasing asset development.

Read more about SAP

Fact Sheets

Links

National Student Assistance Program- NASAP advocates for the highest standards of practice for student assistance professionals and continuing development of student assistance program services that promote student achievement and academic success, healthy safe & drug- free lifestyles and strength-based approaches in working with youth. 

Pennsylvania Association of Student Assistance Professionals- PASAP is a non-profit membership organization whose mission is to address the influence of alcohol, other drugs and mental health issues that affect the welfare of our youth. PASAP is committed to providing support and networking in the areas of prevention, intervention, treatment, aftercare, ongoing support services and education to all individuals or organizations who foster this same commitment.

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Student Assistance Programs- PA SAP provides leadership for developing a safe and drug-free environment and mental health wellness in schools and communities across the Commonwealth. Barriers to learning will be removed and student academic achievement will be enhanced through collaborative prevention, intervention, and post-intervention services. 

 

Other School-Related Fact Sheets

 

 

 Links 

ACCESS: Family Advocacy for Addiction Treatment- A toll-free hotline for people facing financial barriers to addiction treatment. This program helps to connect Pennsylvanians in need of drug & alcohol services with the funding resources needed to access treatment. (866) 709-0590

American Council for Drug Education- ACDE works to diminish substance abuse through research, program development, and information dissemination. The ACDE library has publications, teaching aids, and resource materials for parents and educators (K-12 and College/University), as well as links to other sites for more information on the education and prevention of substance abuse.

Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13- IU 13, one of 29 intermediate units across Pennsylvania, is a regional educational agency whose mission is to assist local school districts to enhance educational opportunities. An excellent resource for those interested in in-school prevention programming. 

Pennsylvania Students Against Destructive Decisions- The SADD website includes information about local chapters, education, conferences, contests, activities, and speakers. 

Time to Talk- This site provides easy-to-use guides and tips on having ongoing conversations with kids to keep them healthy and drug-free.