Substance Abuse Prevention

Over the Counter Drug Misuse & Abuse Alert

Broward County Public Schools, Student Support Services – Office of Prevention Programs has issued an Over the Counter (OTC) Drug Misuse / Abuse Alert!!! Recent incidents of over the counter drug misuse / abuse in some of our schools highlight the need for us, as educators, to take a closer look at this growing trend.  There’s a new drug of choice among teens these days; and it’s as close as the nearest medicine cabinet. School personnel need to be able to identify and help prevent over-the-counter (OTC) drug abuse among teens. As educators, we need to be aware and take steps to help prevent this.  View the alert and find out more!

Thank you for your interest in the Office of Prevention Program’s substance abuse prevention efforts.  Navigating the teenage years is difficult and the presence of drugs in our society complicates these difficult years.  Providing education and awareness of substance use and abuse is imperative to promoting the academic success of our students. Current findings suggest that substance abuse and violence prevention programs can improve school performance and academic achievement.

Additionally, as seen by the graph below, prevention of use and the age of onset is a HUGE predictor in terms of adult dependency:

The Office of Prevention offers a number of avenues for schools to enhance their efforts toward creating safer and healthier schools.  In brief, the options available are below.  Please make sure to check the corresponding Web-pages to find more information and resources:

  1. Research-based materials for classroom presentations: Too Good for Drugs, Keepin’ It Real – Discovery Health’s Middle and High school version.
  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: Presentations can be tailored to meet needs of audience (parent, community, teachers, students, etc) and their needs.  For example: overview of all substances, marijuana, prescription drug abuse, inhalants, tobacco, alcohol, trends, etc.
  4. Social Norms – click on Social Norms Webpage to learn more.
  5. Pro-Social Clubs such as SWAT, SADD, GSA, Peer Counseling, etc.

See also our related webpages on:

“If it’s FREE, it’s for ME!”

We are constantly looking for new and better yet, FREE RESOURCES for teachers, parents and students.  Below is a PDF of some that we have found – they include videos, lesson plans, kits, etc.  The list is in no way complete and is constantly being updated, so if you have anything would like to share, please email Aimee.C.Wood@browardschools.com and we will try to include the resource.  Please click here to view FREE Prevention Resources as a PDF (5/10).

Substance Abuse Prevention Resources and Links

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.

The 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.

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. The most recent are accutane side effects which can cause, liver failure, gastrointestinal disorders, Ulceratvie Colitis, Crohns Disease, and suicide.

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.

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
New Day News – June 2010 Newsletter: THE DEVELOPING BRAIN IN TEENAGERS AND YOUNG ADULTS

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

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

Teach your Child Refusal Skills

Tobacco Free Kids 1-202-296-5469

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

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

The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS): 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, please go to OPP YRBS to find out more.

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.