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Intervention | Prevention

INTERVENTION

Target groups of the program include students who use alcohol and other drugs, who are affected by the use of others, who are returning from a treatment program, or who are experiencing related problems. In addition, assistance is given to students who are non-users, by supporting their decisions to be drug-free. Identification of students needing the services of the program is accomplished by staff members, self referrals, and requests by parents for assistance for their children.

The campus Student Assistance Team including a trained coordinator, counselors, teachers, and an administrator conducts the screening of identified students. The team motivates them and discusses options with the student and the parents for referrals to appropriate community resources as well as others needing support for making healthy choices through various in-school groups. Support groups offered include Recovery, Support-Relapse Prevention, Kid's Connection, TOPS-Teens Offering Peer Support, and "Reconnecting Youth."

The Student Assistance Team members receive extensive training in pre-assessing identified students and in developing and making recommendations about possible options to the student and parents. Referral forms may be initiated by students, parents, teachers, or administrators. The referral forms may be obtained from the central office from designated area in each school. Recommendations might include for example, academic assistance, referral for a free clinical assessment, family intervention and participation in awareness/ assessment or recovery support groups. All referrals are confidential. Parental involvement is encouraged in all levels of intervention.

A variety of in-school support groups have been formed to assist students in developing and making health choices. These groups are a safe place for students to take personal risks, developing skills in sharing personal issues, and giving and accepting support.

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PREVENTION

"There can be no ?one size fits all? philosophy of prevention program or strategy. Prevention activities must be consistent with the priorities, values, world view, and ways of communicating that exist in each community."

The origins of alcohol and other drug abuse are complex and deeply embedded in our culture, our social structure, and our economic systems. Cultural norms and values, national policies, state and local laws, law enforcement practices, school policies, the behavior of parents, and other drug problems all influence the way we see this issue. Effective prevention approaches will help us address these complex factors. Research confirms that alcohol and other drug abuse prevention strategies help individuals to develop and maintain healthy choices.

RISD has implemented a variety of prevention strategies to provide basic alcohol and other drug (AOD) information, as well as teaching students decision making skills and providing alternative activities. These include:

• an articulated K-12 alcohol and other drug abuse prevention curriculum that is integrated into the basic curriculum
• alternative activities, such as drug free support groups, community service and alcohol-free graduation parties
• awareness/assessment support groups, which provide students with pertinent information, and facilitate self-assessment and identification of students with substance abuse problems