“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”
-Benjamin Franklin, 1736
What’s the Value of Prevention?
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) has studied whether a cost-benefit analysis can be a useful tool for decision-makers involved in substance abuse prevention. To answer that question, we need to measure the following:
Extant of substance abuse among youth
Cost of substance abuse to Nation and to the States
Cost savings that could be gained if effective prevention policies, programs, and services were implemented nationwide
Programs and policies that are most cost beneficial
“Substance abuse clearly is among the most costly health problems in the United States. Among national estimates of the costs of illness for 33 diseases and conditions, alcohol ranked second, tobacco ranked sixth, and drug disorders ranked seventh (National Institutes of Health [NIH]”
“If effective prevention programs were implemented nationwide, substance abuse initiation would decline for 1.5 million youth and be delayed for 2 years on average”
8 percent fewer youth ages 13 to 15 would not have engaged in binge drinking
1.5 percent fewer youth would not have used marijuana
45.8 percent fewer youth would not have used cocaine
10.7 percent fewer youth would not have smoked regularly
There’s More to Prevention Than Meets the Eye…
Many people think that prevention is all about teaching kids, teens, adults, communities, and the world, that drugs are bad. But there’s so much more to prevention!
We focus on holistic education when it comes to prevention, and we believe that by focusing on health and wellness, we can create a positive ripple effect that benefits not only individuals, but families, communities, and the world!
OUR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Elementary School Programs
Too Good For Violence
Grade Level: K-6th
Program Length: 10 lessons 30-60 minutes
A bullying prevention program, Too Good For Violence, uses four interwoven concepts– conflict resolution, anger management respect for self and others, and effective communication– to offer a caring approach to bullying/violence prevention.
Too Good For Drugs
Grade level: K-6th
Program length: 10 lessons, 30-40 minutes
Too Good For Drugs is a prevention program designed to reduce risk factors and enhance protective factors related to alcohol, tobacco and other drug use among students. Objectives of the program are: goal setting, decision making, bonding with pro-social others, identifying and managing emotions and communicating effectively.
Second Step: A Violence Prevention Curriculum
Grade Level– Pre-K
Program Length: 26 lessons. 30 minutes
Second Step is designed to promote social competence and reduce social and emotional problems by teaching children skills in the core areas of empathy, emotion management (impulse control, emotion regulation, anger management), and social problem solving.
Positive Action
Grade Level: K-5th
Program Length: 7 Units, 50 Lessons, 15-20 minutes
Positive Action is an evidence-based program that promotes co-operation. It works by teaching and reinforcing the idea that people feel good about themselves when they do positive actions. The effects of the program range from increased academic achievement to dramatic reductions in problem behaviors. Positive Action helps educators create positive learning environments for their students.
Middle School Programs
Too Good For Violence
Grade Level: 7th-8th
Program Length: 9 lessons, 40 minutes
A bullying prevention program that teachers strong character-based skills, attitudes and behaviors. Kids develop skills for conflict resolution, anger management, respect for self and others, and effective communication– keys to social-emotional intelligence.
Too Good For Drugs
Grade Level: 7th-8th
Program Length: 10 Lessons, 40 minutes
A prevention program that provides facts about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs– facts that help kids set goals and make good decisions that contribute to their health and well-being. Program activities give kids skills for managing emotions, communicating effectively, making positive friendships, countering social influences, analyzing media messages and refusing peer pressure.
Positive Action
Grade Level: 6th-8th
Program Length: 7 Units, 35 Lessons, 15-20 minutes
Positive Action is an evidence-based program that promotes co-operation. It works by teaching and reinforcing the idea that people feel good about themselves when they do positive actions. The effects of the program range from increased academic achievement to dramatic reductions in problem behaviors. Positive Action helps educators create positive learning environments for their students.
High School Programs
Too Good For Drugs and Violence
Grade Level: 9th-12th Program Length: 10 Lessons, 40 minutes. This program expands drug prevention education to deal with issues prevalent in this age group. In addition, it builds skills for decision making, communication, media literacy and conflict resolution, as well as making and maintaining healthy relationships.
After School Programs
Strengthening Families
Grade Level: PreK-8th
Program Length: 4-5 sessions, 2 hours
Strengthening Families is a parenting skills, children’s life skills, and family skills program. Parents/caregivers and youth meet separately for the first half, break for a meal and then spend the second half together in family activities.
Other Programs
Alcohol, Other drugs, and Problem Gambling
Program Length: Varies
The Four Rivers Alliance has many resources and information on alcohol, other drugs and problem gambling. We will work with your organization to devise a workshop that fits your needs.
Victim Impact Panel (VIP)
Victim Impact Panel are offered in Fulton and Montgomery Counties. The Panels are available for those mandated by the court to attend because of a DWI charge or other alcohol-related infraction. These panel discussions are also open to the public.
Youth Prevention Needs Assessment Survey
Every two years the Alliance conducts a survey of Hamilton County students in grades 7-12. Data collected from the survey is vital in assessing local problems, the first step in designing a strategic prevention program. We measure:
“Past 30-day” and “Lifetime” use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, prescription and illegal drugs.
Risk Factors that can contribute to problem behaviors, including family conflict and mental health indicators
Protective Factors that can prevent substance use, including prosocial involvement and peer support.