Substance Abuse Prevention

Thank you for your interest in the Office of Prevention Program’s substance abuse prevention efforts.  Providing education and awareness of substance use and abuse is imperative to promoting the academic success of our students.  Not only do current findings suggest that substance abuse and violence prevention programs improve s academic achievement, but research shows the age of substance use onset is a HUGE predictor in terms of adult dependency.  Prevention is key for the health and well-being of our students both today and in the future.  Here are some of the Office of Prevention’s suggestions for schools to enhance their efforts toward creating safer and healthier substance free schools:

  1. Research-based materials for classroom presentations: Too Good for Drugs, Keepin’ It Real
  2. Classroom Presentations and exercises, annual observances: Red Ribbon Week, Brown Ribbon Week, Reality Avenue FCAT-related substance abuse related prevention activities and classroom lessons
  3. Trainings/Workshops
  4. Social Norms marketing
  5. Pro-Social Clubs: such as SWAT, DFYIT, SADD, GSA, Peer Counseling, etc.
  6. Other:

- Learn more about Dangerous, Imitation, Emerging Drugs (DIED). PowerPoint presentation created by James Hall, Director, Center for the Study and Prevention of Substance Abuse, Nova Southeastern University.  Click on the icon to view the presentation.

- Utilize the ‘Planting Seeds of Prevention’ Curriculum Book as a teaching tool and one stop shop for all your prevention needs. The prevention curriculum is organized into the 4 strands of prevention: Violence Prevention, Instructional Strategies, Health and Wellness, and Substance Abuse Prevention. Within each strand there are specialized lessons related to each area of prevention for both primary and secondary grades.  Click on the cover to access the Substance Abuse Prevention section.

See also our related webpages on:

Substance Abuse Prevention Resources and Links

“If it’s FREE, it’s for ME!”:  Look for this downloadable PDF as you scroll down the Resource page – is is an extensive list of FREE prevention resources!

Please Note: A program or website being mentioned here does not imply endorsement by the School Board of Broward County and does not necessarily reflect its views.  Please contact the program developers directly for the most current information.

Alcohol Executive Summary – Economic Impact Study: The Annual Economic Impact of Alcohol in Florida

Anti-Drug Teacher’s Guide website

Broward Briefings: Substance Abuse Information for Action: Find out more of what is going on with substance use in the Nation and in Broward County!  Created by United Way of Broward County Commission on Substance Abuse, you can click on the following to view the issue with information on substance abuse trends and reports:

Broward County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services, (954) 831-1580

CDC School Health Guidelines to Prevent Unintentional Injuries and Violence. Students have the right to learn in a safe and protective school environment. These guidelines were designed to help education agencies and schools promote safety and make schools safe places for students to learn.

CADCA: Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, 1-800-54-CADCA

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, 1-877-726-4727

D.F.Y.I.T. (Drug Free Youth In Town), 1-305-971-0607

Drug Free World: Foundation for a Drug-Free World “The Truth about Drugs” kit is free with numerous videos, pamphlets, and curriculum a surrounding the topic of substance abuse prevention.

Drugs and More: A Guide to Addictions

Drug Watch: Keeping an Eye on Pharmaceuticals: DrugWatch.com is a comprehensive Web site database featuring extensive information about thousands of different medications their side effects, addictive qualities, and the latest on  FDA drug alerts.  Check their website for the most recent up-to-date drug alert!

Drunk Driving Prevention Resources

Easy to Read Drug Facts: an ideal resource for anyone interested in learning more about drug abuse.

Fight Crime: Invest in Kids

First Call for Help, 211 Broward: “Help is Just a Phone Call Away!” A 24-hour, free, confidential telephone Helpline for crisis/suicide counseling, empathetic listening and community information and referrals for health and human services resources in Broward County. Just Dial 2-1-1 or (954) 537-0211 or access the directory online

Florida Department of Education

Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (HECAT): The Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (HECAT) can help school districts, schools, and others conduct a clear, complete, and consistent analysis of health education curricula based on the National Health Education Standards and CDC’s Characteristics of Effective Health Education Curricula. The HECAT results can help schools select or develop appropriate and effective health education curricula and improve the delivery of health education. The HECAT can be customized to meet local community needs and conform to the curriculum requirements of the state or school district.

Intervention Guide E-Book: Guidance for what to do if your child is drinking or using drugs.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving ,1-877-GET-MADD

National Institute of Mental Health, 1-301-496-4000

National Resource Center for Safe Schools, The Safety Zone

NIDA for Teens: Facts on Drugs, 1-877-NIDA-NIH

Natural High: DVD series focusing on drug use prevention with personal testimonies shared by drug free celebrities, athletes, and roles models.   Shows young people living fun, exciting and successful lives without drugs and alcohol by embracing their natural highs. DVDs sent to over 90,000 schools, free of charge – 1 per middle school. Personal or additional copies can be purchased.

Parent Info from the National Institute on Drug Abuse

Registries of Programs Effective in Reducing Youth Risk Behaviors: Various federal agencies have identified youth-related programs that they consider worthy of recommendation based on expert opinion or a review of design and research evidence. These programs focus on different health topics, risk behaviors, and settings including violence.

SAMHSA, National Mental Health Information Center

School Health Index: The School Health Index can help schools implement school health guidelines and related strategies. This self-assessment and planning tool enables schools to identify the strengths and weaknesses of health promotion policies and programs (including violence prevention) and assists schools in developing an action plan for improving the school environment.

School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS): The School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS) is a national survey periodically conducted to assess school health policies and practices at the state, district, school, and classroom levels. SHPPS was most recently conducted in 2006. SHPPS also was conducted in 2000 and 1994; the next SHPPS is planned for 2012. State level summaries are available on-line (the Healthy and Safe Environment and the Mental Health and Social Services sections are probably the most relevant) and as a state report card, here is the link for Florida

SERAPH Problem Solving Company, School Safety in America

Student Support Services Project

Starting Place, (954) 925-2225 provides education, treatment and support services related to substance abuse, mental illness and co-occurring disorders; read the latest in one of Starting Place’s New Day News Newsletters

Students Against Destructive Decisions, 1-877-SADD-INC

The Switchboard of Miami, (305) 358-HELP (4357)

Teach your Child Refusal Skills

Teen Space 211: an interactive website for teens looking for information, support, and resources to help cope with today’s tough teen issues. It is a confidential outlet for teens to feel free to ask anything, speak their minds, and help themselves and each other. Teens can post their questions or comments on our message boards or call our hotline anytime at 2-1-1 or 954-567-8336(TEEN).

Time to Act: If you suspect or know your child is using drugs or alcohol, it is important to take action right away, here you can lean more about taking this important step.

Time to Talk: provides easy-to-use parent guides, kit, and tips to help you have ongoing conversations with your kids to keep them healthy and drug-free.

Tobacco Free Kids 1-202-296-5469

Tobacco Smoking Cessation Resources

Tobacco Prevention and Intervention Teacher and Guidance Counselor Training Course: FREE Online Florida Statewide course uses a proven program that teaches tobacco prevention education and offers up to 60 in-service points towards teacher re-certification (please check with your professional development department for details).  Find more information on this flyer!

Too Good for DrugsTM K-8 is a school-based prevention program designed to reduce risk factors and enhance protective factors related to alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) use among students. 1-800-750-0986

Treatment Guide E-Book: Details how to find the right help for your child with an alcohol or drug problem.

Under Age Drinking – Helps parents talk to their children about alcohol. You can create a plan in just a few steps!

The United Way of Broward County Commission on Substance Abuse (UWBCCSA) is a broad based substance use/abuse coalition dedicated to reducing substance use/abuse and all its devastating consequences on individuals, families, and communities.

The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) monitors priority health-risk behaviors among youth in grades 9-12 in public and private schools through the United States.  OPP facilitates the administration of the YRBS every year.

DrugWatch.com is a comprehensive Web site database featuring extensive information about thousands of different medications and drugs currently on the market or previously available worldwide.