• Prevention
• Toolkit
• Strategies
• Intervention
• Treatment

School Prevention Strategies

To combat and prevent lack of commitment to school:

• Emphasize the importance of school and education.
• Encourage youth to attend school and do their homework.
• Encourage participation in youth-oriented alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention programs.
• Work with educators to improve instruction and make it more meaningful and interesting.
• Work with schools to continuously deal with alcohol, tobacco and other drug problems.

To combat and prevent early academic failure:

• Encourage programs that help children with school, like a homework help line, tutoring, mentoring and peer programs, and youth-focused programs like Scouts and other clubs.
• Encourage school curricula that develop social-competence, communication, decision-making and refusal skills.
• Encourage the enforcement of no-use policies in schools.

Key points to remember as members of the school community:

• Alcohol and other drug addiction are treatable and curable diseases, not weaknesses.
• Don't belittle or shun others who have alcohol or other drug problems. They need the assistance and support of nonusers to get the help they need.
• And, most importantly, if someone you know has an alcohol or other drug problem, encourage them to get the help they need. If appropriate, involve teachers, guidance counselors and principals in addressing the problem. Or call 1-888-SC PREVENTS for information on prevention and treatment resources in your community.