Prevention Programs for Schools
Life Skills
Botvin’s Life Skills program has been shown to cut tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use by up to 75% and increase healthy decision making skills, with lasting effects for the youth involved.
Program topics include self-image and self-improvement, decision making, advertising, coping with anxiety, communication, social skills, and assertiveness and lessons on tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs. Program topics are aimed at strengthening the “life skills” that play into healthy decision making.
The middle school program is universal and meant to reach all youth in 6th or 7th grade. This program can run in 12-15 sessions.
SPORT Prevention Plus Wellness, for Middle or High School Students
SPORT, Prevention Plus Wellness is the only single session substance use prevention program designed to increase wellness enhancing behaviors, including physical activity, sports participation, healthy eating, getting adequate sleep, and practicing stress control. This lesson includes a brief health and fitness behavior screening survey, a powerpoint that includes illustrations of youth modeling wellness habits, and a goal plan where youth set a goal to avoid substance use and increase protective wellness behaviors. This lesson is accompanied by four optional parent flyers to engage parents.
In-school Presentations
BRiDGES staff is available to bring a variety of in-school presentations to your school or classroom. We offer presentations and trainings on a number of subjects as well as information on current trends on all drug topics. Presentations can be tailored to reach an audience of students, faculty, or parents.
We can also facilitate booking a guest speaker for special events! We have a large network of community and national partners, who are experts in substance abuse prevention and motivational speaking, as well as mental health and stress management topics. We are happy to help you find the perfect speaker for your assembly or special event.
Choices & Consequences and Teen Intervene
BRiDGES offers two programs for youth ages 12-18 who are using alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs. Youth are often referred to these programs from parents/ guardians, the court system, school districts, etc., as a consequence to their behavior. The first step is an initial assessment appointment (usually an hour). Youth under the age of 18 are required to have a parent/guardian attend the assessment appointment. From there, a recommendation to attend the Choices and Consequences Program (2 -two hour sessions), or the Teen Intervene Program (2- two hour sessions) will be made. In some cases, a recommendation to outside counseling may be made.
Choices and Consequences uses prevention education to provide youth with knowledge and skills such that he/she is able to make positive, healthy choices.
Teen Intervene is an evidence based program for teenagers suspected of experiencing mild or moderate problems associated with alcohol or other drug use. TI integrates stages of change theory, cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing into its program.
There is a fee for both programs of $75 each. Payments can be made via check to: The Madison County Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Inc. or by money order. Payment is due by the 2nd scheduled appointment.