As the office responsible for Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug and Violence Prevention, The Office of Prevention Programs remains dedicated to enhancing the highest student achievement of all Broward County students by promoting a safe and drug-free learning environment.

The Office of Prevention Programs implements evidenced- and science-based programs (drug and violence education, prevention, and intervention services).  These programs and services have been shown to be effective and meet identified needs. Our vision is one of a learning environment where every student feels safe, is drug-free, and is academically engaged.

Research supports the link between prevention and academic success and the critical role that schools play in getting the prevention message out to students:

• Students whose peers avoided substance use had test scores that were 18 points higher for reading and 45 points higher for math.
• Because children spend more than a quarter of their day at school and find many role models within school walls, schools have a unique opportunity to deliver effective drug prevention programs.  In doing so, they reinforce norms against drug use and violence and give students peer refusal and other life skills.
• For every dollar spent on drug use prevention, communities can save $4 to $5 dollars in costs for drug abuse treatment and counseling.

Source: http://cadca.org/