Prevention education is important for children of all ages in developing healthy coping mechanisms and resisting toxic peer pressure. That’s why many schools offer prevention education programs as part of their curriculum.
But having a program in place isn’t always enough — especially if that child is going home to an unhealthy household or one that does discuss important topics like alcohol and drug use. To fully support children during their most vulnerable years, here’s how teachers can implement a prevention education program into their lessons.
1. Recognize red flags
Some people are more susceptible to developing problems with drug or alcohol abuse than others, and there are some signs to look out for when identifying those at risk:
- Mood changes.
- Poor attendance.
- Low grades.
- Behavioral problems.
- Disregard for rules.
- Switching friend groups.
Additionally, of course, teachers will want to be on the lookout for symptoms of drug or alcohol use, like slurred speech, poor concentration, memory lapses, lack of coordination, and more. Noticing these signs (and addressing them with the student’s parents/guardians) is an important step in intervention.
2. Have open communication
Many children and teens lack a support system at home that they can talk to about difficult topics like drug and alcohol use. Educators have the ability to provide valuable insight and information to their students that will guide them through their most impressionable years.
Starting an open, honest, and realistic conversation about the dangers of substance abuse will allow the teacher to be a voice of reason. That way, their students won’t just be hearing misleading, dangerous information elsewhere (like from their peers). This information can be relayed through facts and statistics, personal stories, and more. Such conversations will show students their teachers actually care about them, building trust and comfortability.
3. Practice non-judgement
The last thing a teacher should do is create an environment where students feel scared or discouraged to ask questions or talk about their concerns. While it’s important to report any dangerous behavior, you don’t want to berate a child or teen for their curiosities or naivety surrounding substance use. Instead, educators should be honest and upfront with the dangers and risks associated with drugs and alcohol, while providing unwavering support and advocacy for their students’ overall wellbeing.
4. Offer helpful resources
Teachers play an important role in prevention education programs, but they can’t do it all. Educators must provide credible resources for students (and parents/guardians, if applicable) to refer to should they need further information or support. Such resources can include handouts with further reading, names and websites of government or other prevention education programs, contact information of professionals who might offer counseling, and more.
5. Check in with parents/guardians
It’s important for teachers to understand the type of support and environment their students have at home. Checking in with family members can be very telling in whether a student is more at-risk for abusing substances, and whether they might need more attention at school. Additionally, if there are any telling signs that a student is involving themselves with the wrong crowd or experimenting with substances, teachers should discuss the situation with parents/guardians.
Wellspring aims to provide students and parents with the tools and resources they need to develop healthy coping mechanisms for whatever challenges come their way. Our effective approaches to school-based drugs and alcohol prevention include providing opportunities to become involved in positive experiences in the school and the community, improving life skills, and teaching students how to resist peer influences. To schedule a Wellspring program for your school, contact us by email at mail@wellspringprevention.org or by phone at 732-254-3344.