A Framework for Prevention
Communities, schools and families are all influential learning enviornments
for children. The importance of schools and families was highlighted in
the National Longitudinal Study on Adolescent Health: "The bottom
line is that social contexts count. Adolescents who are connected to their
families and schools are healthier than those who are not." This
study clearly shows that parent-family connectedness and perceived school
connectedness are protective factors against adolescent tobacco, alcohol
and other drug use, as well as emotional distress, suicidal thought and
behaviors, violence and initiation of sexual intercourse. ("Protecting
Adolescents from Harm," Journal of American Medical Association,
Vol. 278, No. 10, September 10, 1997.) For these reasons, the revised
edition of Too Good for Drugs and Violence - High School targets
not only individual students, but also their learning environments.
Student
The scripted lessons in the Too Good for Drugs and Violence High School
Core Curriculum target individual students. They include activities to
strengthen knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and skills which research has
shown to be effective for drug prevention. Supplemental writing activities,
recommended books, videos, and web sites also target individual students.
School
The Mendez Foundation provides Too Good for Drugs and Violence - Staff
Development, a curriculum and training designed to help teachers establish
a caring and supportive classroom environment in which learning and prevention
activities can succeed. The Mendez Foundation also offers Evoking the
Best in Yourself and Your Students, a one-day experiential seminar. In
addition, we offer a one-day seminar called Evoking the Best in Yourself
and Your Staff, which guides principals and other administrators in creating
a supportive school environment, improving morale and increasing a sense
of teamwork and common goals. To schedule these, call the Foundation at
1-800-750-0986 or see our web site: www.mendezfoundation.org.
Family
Family involvement is integral to the Too Good for Drugs and Violence
- High School program. The Looking for More? section following each lesson
includes “Home Workouts,” homework assignments designed to
increase parent-student interaction and to reinforce life skills in the
home. “Home Pages,” newsletter inserts designed to increase
parent-student interaction and promote discussion of drug prevention and
wellness education at home, are included in the appendix.
Community
The Too Good for Drugs and Violence High School Core Curriculum contains
suggestions for building community support for and involvement in a coordinated
drug prevention effort. These guidelines will help you to establish a
community task force and plan a media campaign in order to raise public
awareness of, appreciation for and participation in your Too Good for
Drugs and Violence - High School prevention program. In addition, the
Looking for More? section following each lesson includes community activities
which reinforce the skills and concepts taught in that lesson. These activities
are also designed to build students’ awareness of community needs
and resources and enhance their sense of belonging in the community.
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Community
- Positive youth-centered activities
- Community service
- Mentoring, tutoring, job training
- Coalition-based prevention programming
- Prevention training for community leaders
- Positive media campaigns
- Clear laws/ordinances and consistent enforcement
School
- Multi-year prevention education
- Opportunities to apply prevention skills
- Activities, athletics, peer leadership
- Prevention training for staff and parents
- Policies and systems that reinforce positive norms
- Systems to encourage positive problem-solving
- Clear rules with consistent consequences
Family
- Caring and support
- Use of prevention skills
- Involvement in school and community activities
- Recognition of positive behaviors
- Clear rules and consistent consequence
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