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Substance Use Resources
Below are resources hand selected by me. Please enjoy my absolute favorite content.
-Kriya
Ripe News re: Drugs & Schools
Confronting an Epidemic of Drug Use in Schools (Edutopia)
As More Teens Overdose on Fentanyl, Schools Face a Drug Crisis Unlike Any Other (npr)
Drug & Alcohol Info
CURRENT STATISTICS
National middle & high school survey that includes questions on substance abuse and other high-risk behaviors, and breaks down data by state.
Survey of national youth drug trends conducted for 25+ years.
National Survey on Drug Abuse and Health
Surveys national drug abuse trends in kids age 12+.
CDC Shareable graphics & videos
Great graphics to help teach/share current opioid stats /students and families
Annual national survey by the CDC of Youth behaviors, attitudes & exposure related to nicotine products.
SUBSTANCE SCIENCE & RISKS
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Scientific Information about all drugs of abuse and how to assess problems.
Anti-nicotine education, research, and activism
Up-to-date Info on e-cigs. Great collection of articles.
E-cigarette & Vaping Products Visual Dictionary
A visual overview of vaping devices, products, and how they are used
Know the Risks: Ecigs & Young People
Report from Surgeon General
Downloadable Fact sheets in English and Spanish with information on 14 different drugs. For all audiences.
Curriculum Resources
Safety First: Real Drug Education for Teens
Comprehensive FREE substance education curriculum from the Drug Policy Alliance. Takes a progressive harm reduction approach, with a social justice and trauma-informed lens.
Too Good for Drugs
Evidence-based comprehensive K-12 curricula programs range from $180-$265/grade K-8 and $400 for all of high school.
FREE curriculum from the DEA, including a 6-video series on various drugs plus activity guides for grades 3-8, elementary, middle, and high school lesson plans on opioids, and a self-paced module for 8-12th grades re: opioids
They have even created a culturally responsive curriculum for Native American communities.
National Institute for Drug Abuse for Teachers
An extensive collection of science and standards-based classroom lessons and multimedia activities on teens and drugs created by NIDA.
Scholastic Heads Up (Real News About Drugs & Your Body) for Teachers
Lesson plans, printables, and articles for students
A large selection of videos from diverse familiar role models with discussion guides and worksheets that make for easy (and last-minute) powerful classes.
Learn. Genetics. The Science of Addiction.
Information, lesson plans, and interactive web-based activities for infusing the study of drugs and addictions into science curriculum for 6-12th.
From Foundation for a Drug-Free World. Video content features testimonials from past users that are teen appropriate and relevant.
Great website for tweens/teens, with substance info and empowerment to challenge peer and media pressure, and take care of friends. A good site to use for a Webquest.
Teen-targeted (DEA) website with drug stats and info and relatable real-life teen addiction stories
Media literacy for elementary students re: drugs and alcohol
Common Sense Media: Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking
Articles, advice, and videos re: teen-targeted pro-use media messages, how they impact our youth, and how to help kids arm themselves against them.
SMOKING/VAPING/NICOTINE-SPECIFIC
Bi-lingual e-learning game-based modules for middle and high schoolers from MD Anderson Cancer Centers.
FREE e-cig & prevention program for middle and high school with 4 lessons at 30-40 minutes designed to be student-centered learning facilitated by peer leaders. Uses a variety of educational strategies including: cooperative learning groups, group discussions, goal setting, interviews, and analyzing mass media. The program also provides teacher education, online resources, and take-home materials for parents.
Stanford Tobacco Prevention Toolkit
Free You & Me, Together Vape Free Curriculum for middle and high school - 6 lesson, remote options available, Mapped for the National Health Education Standards. Features engaging Canva-based lessons that are editable!
Everfi: Vaping - Know the Truth
A free 4-lesson curriculum for High School students (40 mins each) in partnership with the Truth Initiative that focuses on problem use, quitting, and alternatives.
Toolkit for Schools from MA Dpt of Health includes a wealth of resources for admin, counselors, and health educators including adaptable resources (PowerPoint presentations, handouts) to educate parents/staff.
SmokeSCREEN: A Smoking/Vaping Prevention Videogame
Online game for ages 10-16 developed by Yale & CVS partnership. Early data shows it effectively increases knowledge and attitude shifting re: smoking and e-cigarette use.
Get Smart about Tobacco (Scholastic)
Health and Science education lessons re: nicotine products for grades 3-7
The Real Cost of Vaping: Understanding the Dangers of Teen E-cigarette Use
Single High School lesson plan (including newest data) from a collaboration between the U.S. FDA & Scholastic.
Complete and comprehensive training program for Youth Peer Educators in middle and high school!
Great Rise of Vaping video (20 mins) about vaping risks & marketing (heavy on youth voices) & Refusal Skills activity
Know the Risks: A Youth Guide to E-cigarettes
CDC Presentation materials for any adults serving youth ages 11 – 18 including PowerPoint and talking points.
CANNABIS-SPECIFIC
Smart Talk: Cannabis Awareness & Prevention Toolkit
Free 5-lesson Curriculum for middle and high school created by the same awesome Stanford folk that brought us the Tobacco Toolkit. Features engaging Canva-based lessons that are editable!
Johnny's Ambassador's THC Curriculum
60 to 90 minutes total, broken up into eight separate modules, in self-guided format. Uses a colorful, superhero theme with gamification, simulations, music, interactive quizzes, gameshows, hand-drawn whiteboard videos, and peer-to-peer testimonials, with a workbook.This curriculum can be used as prevention or as an alternative to suspension
ALCOHOL-SPECIFIC
Free videos & lesson plans, games for teaching middle schoolers re: alcohol's effects on the developing brain. From the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility.
Resources for media literacy lesson (mocking alcohol advertising industry):
AlcoholEdu® for High School
Free curriculum takes a public health approach to alcohol ed, incorporating evidence-based prevention methods
CAMY (Center of Alcohol Marketing & Youth)
Facts, research, and an extensive marketing gallery on alcohol marketing and its impact on youth.
PRESCRIPTION DRUG/FENTANYL-SPECIFIC
Standards-aligned curricula for 3-12th grades, including Spanish language and a culturally relevant curriculum specifically for Native American students. Include digital-based lessons, "virtual field trips," self-guided options, and instructor training module.
Stanford Fentanyl & Opioid Awareness & Overdose Prevention
Free editable Canva-based lesson and resources on the dangers of illegal fentanyl, its impact on teens and young adults, harm-reduction strategies to avoid overdose,
Fake & Fatal: One Pill Can Kill
Free high school curriculum on the dangers of fentanyl-laced Rx drugs and teaching materials for any staff member to facilitate.
Real Deal on Fentanyl
3 free high school lessons for infusion into health, economics, and chemistry classes.
The New Drug Talk
30 min video and clips designed for parents and adults guiding kids, but also informative for teens to view.
OVER-THE-COUNTER (OTC) DRUG-SPECIFIC
OTC Medicine Safety Program 101
A free evidence-based education program for 5th-8th graders consisted of video and worksheet-based lessons on differences between Rx ad OTC meds, safe drug use, risks of misuse, and handling unsafe situations. Includes facilitator guides and family resources. From Johnson & Johnson's Young Minds Inspired health education series.
Alternatives to Suspension
1, 2 or 4-hr Curriculum modules from Stanford Tobacco Prevention Toolkit cover four main topics: Health Effects, Your Brain, Messaging, and Cost. The top program for Suspension Alternatives.
ASPIRE
Free self-paced online educational modules for middle and high schoolers from MD Anderson Cancer Centers.
Intervention for Nicotine Dependence: Education, Prevention, Tobacco and Health (INDEPTH) is an interactive program that teaches students about nicotine dependence, establishing healthy alternatives, and how to kick the unhealthy addiction that got them in trouble in the first place.
Everfi: Vaping - Know the Truth*
A free 4-lesson curriculum for High School students (40 mins each) in partnership with the Truth Initiative that focuses on problem use, quitting and alternatives. * Everfi has stated that this is not intended as an Alternative to Suspension program, but some schools have been using it as such.
Discipline Is Not the Answer: Better Approaches to On-campus Student Tobacco Use
A report from the Truth Initiative discouraging suspension as a response to on-campus nicotine use.
Nicotine Cessation Resources
A free 5-week online support group (10-15 ppl) for teens involving a trained group facilitator and peer support, using Instagram DM messaging. Participants get paid $60!
Teens receive 5 free text, phone, or online support in the form of 5 sessions with a “Personal Quitting Coach” that uses motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioral strategies.
This text-based program from “Truth Initiative” involves receiving messages focused on building skills and confidence, and instant support when needed.
Free smartphone app to guide teens and young adults in quitting nicotine. Serves as a coach, cheerleader and distracting playmate all in one!
Includes online chat support and quit planning
Sign up by texting QUIT to 47848
In Spanish: text LIBRE to 47848
American Indian Commercial Tobacco Program
For members of American Indian communities in CO, ID, IA, KS, MA, MI, NV, ND, PA, UT, VT, WY. Includes live conversations with trained health professionals, email and text support.
Telephone Quitline: 1-800-QUIT-NOW
Behavioral Cessation Supports for Youth and Young Adults
From the (American Academy of Pediatrics)
Tobacco Cessation Resources for Youth
From The American College of Preventative Medicine
Activism Opportunities
Take Action Hub from Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
Presents regularly updated opportunities to speak up against the tobacco industry and those supporting it.
Invites youth to join an anti-tobacco movement, including contacting elected officials, taking community leadership, and opportunities to fulfill community service hours.
Protect Kids: Fight Flavored E-Cigs
Join efforts to get flavored e-cigs off the market
Students Against Vaping E-Cigarettes (SAVe)
Created by 3 teens, this organization engages in national advocacy, inspiring teens to speak out about the prevalence of e-cigarette dependence and nicotine addiction, the negative health and environmental consequences of vaping, and to fight for safer industry regulations. Schools are inspired to adopt a SAVe chapter.
Parents Against Vaping Ecigarettes
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Vapes Are Trash campaign focuses on the environmental harms of e-cigarettes and the tobacco industry. POISON program encourages reporting illegal sales of vapes, and petitioning the FDA to move quicker on their own regulatory actions. Targeted to parents/adults, but students can also participate.
School Policy
Includes model language for the adoption, implementation, and enforcement of a 100% tobacco-free school district policy, as well as recommendations for curriculum, alternatives to suspension, and cessation resources for students.
Tobacco-Free K-12 Model School Policy - Public Health Law Center
A comprehensive model policy including effective and holistic enforcement options for student violations beyond suspension and expulsion.
American Heart Association Tobacco-Free School District Model Policy - American Heart Association
Contains comprehensive language to support districts in creating and sustaining 100% tobacco-free school environments.
The Healthier Generation Tobacco-Free District Policy Builder
Equity-focused and evidence-based policies and practices are designed to enhance existing efforts and provide professional learning opportunities. Includes a wealth of free webinar training and resources on developing and implementing tobacco policy.
Supporting Children of Addiction (COA's)
National Association of Children of Addiction
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NaCOA’s Children’s Program Kit - provides over 100 skill-based and developmentally appropriate lesson plans and everything needed to offer a strong and effective program of support to school age children of addicted parents. Designed to be used as an educational support group program at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Could be part of a Student Assistance Program.
SAMSHA Children’s Program Kit: Supportive Education for Children of Addicted Parents
Dpt of Health & Human Services/SAMHSA
Children Impacted by Addiction: A Toolkit for Educators
National Association for Children of Addiction & Addiction Policy Forum
Helping a Child Whose Parents Are Struggling with Addiction
Video and story from NPR.
See my extensive list of COA resources to use with kids, including videos and books for students pre-K-12th, camps & summer programs, and support groups.
Resources to Share with Parents