Prevention programs focus on providing all youth with the
knowledge, attitudes and skills they need to make healthy choices and avoid
using alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. The great majority of youth come
through adolescence without using any addictive substance. Substance use has
been declining. Even alcohol use, while still the most commonly used drug among
adolescents, has declined, though more slowly.
Much of this is due to the newer research-based prevention programs.
However, there are many risks facing our youth in today’s world that are unavoidable and will never be eliminated completely. Each generation of children needs to hear the prevention message and acquire the tools to deal with these risks. Prevention programs address all the risk factors associated with substance use by teaching a combination of health information, general life skills, and drug resistance skills.
Substance Abuse Prevention Education Programs
PREVENT! staff are certified instructors for model programs including Life Skills Training, Second Step, Responding in Peaceful and Positive Ways, and Toward No Tobacco Use
Making Positive Decisions
A school-based counseling and after-school activities program for at risk middle school students.
Bullying Prevention and “I-SAFE” Training
School-wide education and training to identify and appropriately respond to bullying behaviors and victims. Certified “I SAFE” trainer instructs students on all forms of internet safety.
Information and Referral (Ziegenhein Resource Library)
Provides education and training, referrals, support services and resources to all Brevard residents seeking information or ongoing support related to substance abuse or related behaviors.
Brevard Tobacco Initiative
A county wide project to prevent and control tobacco use with special focus on building an independent Community Partnership and youth empowerment through SWAT Clubs.
Towards No Tobacco (TNT) Use
A 13-week school-based tobacco education and smoking prevention program for upper elementary age students.
Red Ribbon Week (Oct) — Prom Pact (Spring) — Project Graduation (May)
Red Ribbon Week is a nation-wide campaign to prevent alcohol and other drug abuse for which PREVENT! offers resources to schools, businesses and community groups. Prom Pact is a community prevention program that alerts hotels, retailers, limousine companies and law enforcement to prom celebrations giving them dates/locations to prevent underage drinking.
S.A.D.D. and SWAT Clubs
Students Against Destructive Decisions and Students Working Against Tobacco are youth advocacy models. PREVENT! assists and supports the clubs with training and resources.
