EXEMPLARY SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAMSThe following grassroots prevention programs have been recognized as Exemplary Substance Abuse Prevention Programs by SAMHSA/CSAP, National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD) and National Prevention Network (NPN). These programs have been evaluated for effectiveness using standardized, research-based criteria.Cultural Enhancement Through Storytelling is a community-based prevention program on the Tohono O'odham Indian Reservation near Tucson, Arizona, designed to create a strong cultural identity as a protective factor against substance abuse. Targeted at youth ages 12 to 14, the program integrates stories, songs and dances about the O'odham culture into a classroom setting and into other community activities. It also strives to get adults in the community to assume leadership roles in cultural activities. The program's underlying philosophy is that a deeper understanding and respect for the O'odham way, told through stories that teach respect for school, community, family, heritage, and self, can help to strengthen and empower youth. This program serves adolescents in the Indian Oasis Baboquiveri School District, 60 miles southwest of Tucson, Arizona. It also targets individuals in the community of Sells, Arizona, who are encouraged to participate in project activities as learners and contributors, particularly as teachers of the Tohono O'odham culture. It includes three classroom-based curricula: Health Studies Curriculum: "Problem Solving skills and Natural Highs," Social Studies Curriculum: "Family Structures and Role Models," and Language Arts Curriculum: "Oral Literature and Inner Strength." Cultural Enhancement Through StorytellingThe Albuquerque Partnership in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, focuses its prevention efforts in 10 neighborhoods. Each neighborhood has developed a plan of action based on its need to provide for a healthy community. For example, the Partnership collaborates with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce on educational initiatives in math, engineering, and science for Hispanic middle and high school students. In areas of policy, education, dropout prevention, safety, drug prevention, and community development, the Partnership collaborates with residents, schools, and with health, law enforcement and other community-based organizations. Ninety-one active Partnership members represent several entities within the community. This collaboration has resulted in the development of educational scholarships for Hispanic middle and high school students and sponsorship of special student projects. New Mexico Advocates for Children and FamiliesParent Party Patrol (PPP), was created to diminish un-chaperone parties and adult-sponsored drinking parties. This grass-roots, all volunteer organization provides free expert panel presentations and disseminates information to educate parents and community groups about the dangerous social activities and legal and civil ramifications that parents and youth can face as a result of un-chaperone parties or adult-sponsored drinking parties. Parent Party PatrolThe Hispanic Initiative, located at the Allen Apartment Complex in Annapolis, Maryland, was created to address the diverse needs of the large population of Spanish-speaking immigrants residing in Anne Arundel County. The project began with a focus on alcohol and drug prevention and is now a comprehensive health program using recreational family activities and home visits to increase alcohol and drug family protective factors. Anne Arundel County Department of Health Prevention ServicesKansas Family Partnership stresses the role of families in preventing substance abuse. It organizes mass media campaigns, provides skill-building training in risk-focused prevention and encourages the development of local and statewide coalitions. This program focuses on families with children ranging in age from birth to 12 and has three curriculums that address different racial and ethnic groups. It is aimed at helping parents address issues relating to alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use by youth. It has worked with special-needs families, migrant families, foster parents and families recovering from substance abuse. Kansas Family PartnershipSalem Community Alliance is targeted to reach all of its ethnically and racially diverse community. The Salem Community Alliance involves all sectors of the community in addressing issues and problems that concern them, such as unemployment, substance abuse, the law, disabilities and media responsibility. Its prevention activities include developing educational workshops, building coalitions, reducing environmental risk factors as well as marketing and outreach. It uses Peer Action Groups, interagency and inter-community projects, citywide events and a newsletter to implement these strategies. Salem Community Alliance - Center for Addictive BehaviorsDealing With Feelings is a prevention and skills-building program coordinated through the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City. Aimed at developing coping skills in young children, the program serves approximately 500 fourth-grade students throughout the State. It is based on the rationale that children at high risk for emotional disorders, substance abuse, and violence have limited coping skills for dealing with feelings and solving problems. To enhance the children's protective factors and reduce their risk factors, the program used storytelling, hands-on exercises and music to teach children a four-step process for learning to cope with their feelings. Children learn the importance of accepting their feelings, pausing for reflection, generating positive options and acting on the best choice. Emotional Health CenterPositive Choices for Academic Success in Las Vegas, Nevada, is a comprehensive educational, pre-vocational and life skills development program to encourage academic success and promote a gang-free and drug-free lifestyle among junior and senior high school students. A donated building in a high-crime, low-income, gang-ridden area in West Las Vegas is the setting for the program, which consists of 20 four-hour Saturday classes. These classes prepare students for SAT and ACT exams, provide current information on AIDS and substance abuse prevention as well as develop students' personal skills so they can obtain and maintain employment, create a budget, use a computer and plan a career. The program's Youth Council develops community service projects, special educational and community enrichment activities and program curriculum. Participants complete 30 hours of community services as part of the program. West Las Vegas Pride Community Development CorporationParenting Project knows parents are the best resource for helping young people avoid school, delinquency and drug problems. It offers free parent education programs designed to help parents understand children's developmental stages and develop problem-solving techniques that build competence in parents, reinforce parent commitment and enhance family bonds. Programs are offered in English and Spanish. The Parenting Project's philosophy features positive behavior management and communication skills, conflict resolution and violence prevention and address issues such as blended families, single parents, children with special needs and children at risk for substance abuse. Parenting Project - Clark County Family and Youth Services |