School Prevention Programs
Jennifer Lehman
Henry County Extension
319-385-8126
LifeSkills Training
LifeSkills Training (LST) is the highest rated, recommended and
researched school-based substance abuse prevention program today. It
is uniquely designed, proven effective, and grounded in over 20
years of research. Rather than simply teaching information about
drugs, LifeSkills combats the underlying causes of substance abuse.
The LifeSkills program consists of three major components that cover
the critical domains found to promote drug use. Research has shown
that students who develop skills in these three domains are far less
likely to engage in a wide range of high-risk behaviors. The three
components include:
- Drug Resistance Skills enable young people
to recognize and challenge common misconceptions about
tobacco, alcohol and other drug use. Through coaching and
practice, they learn information and practical ATOD
(Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug use) resistance skills for
dealing with peers and media pressure to engage in ATOD use.
- Personal Self-Management Skills teach
students how to examine their self-image and its effects on
behavior; set goals and keep track of personal progress;
identify everyday decisions and how they may be influenced
by others; analyze problem situations, and consider the
consequences of each alternative solution before making
decisions; reduce stress and anxiety, and look at personal
challenges in a positive light.
- General Social Skills teach students
the necessary skills to overcome shyness, communicate
effectively and avoid misunderstandings, initiate and carry
out conversations, handle social requests, utilize both
verbal and nonverbal assertiveness skills to make or refuse
requests, and recognize that they have choices other than
aggression or passivity when faced with tough situations.
LifeSkills is currently implemented in all four school
districts in Henry County in grades 3-8.
Too Good For Drugs
Information coming soon!
Project ALERT
The Project ALERT two-year Core Curriculum consists of 11 lessons that are most
effective when taught once a week during the first year, plus 3
booster lessons that should be delivered the following year. Project
ALERT complements other curricula and can be implemented in
conjunction with lessons from sex education, health, physical
education, science and social studies.
Project ALERT core strategies:
- Motivate students against drug use
- Provide skills and strategies to resist drugs
- Establish new non-use attitudes and beliefs