Substance Abuse Prevention Toolkit Substance abuse prevention is critical to the health and well-being of our nation. Because religious faith and the strong values it promotes are protective factors in preventing alcohol and drug use among young people, faith-based organizations have a unique opportunity to positively impact youth at-risk for substance misuse and abuse. This toolkit features articles, information, curriculum reviews, and resource lists to help directors of prevention programs to develop, implement, and evaluate their programs. Project Development Tools 1. Current Prevention Theories and Practices During the past few decades, theories and practices in prevention have evolved dramatically. This short article will give you information about theories and practices shown to be effective. 2. Underage Drinking Prevention Strategies This article discusses the various prevention strategies you may consider as you develop your program. 3. Guidelines and Benchmarks for Prevention Programming These ten guidelines will help you assess the potential effectiveness of different prevention approaches. It also provides methods for planning and implementing effective programs. 4. Key Elements of Effective Drug Prevention Curricula These criteria can help ensure that you choose a prevention curriculum that is highly effective. 5. Checklist of Steps to Forming a Community Coalition Use this checklist to guide your organization in building a community-wide anti-drug coalition. Project Implementation Tools 1. Characteristics of an Effective Prevention Teacher The effectiveness of prevention programs is greatly impacted by its teachers. Use this short article to help teachers and leaders in your program to learn how to positively impact the youth in your program. 2. Four Ways to Include Drug Prevention in Religious Programs This 10-page free booklet offers a practical approach to dealing with substance abuse issues for faith-based organizations targeting youth. 3. Prevention Activities for Your Faith-Based Organziation These activities from the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign’s Pathway to Prevention: Guiding Youth to Wise Decisions will help you to integrate prevention ideas into your faith tradition.
4. Tips for Facilitators in Your Faith-Based Prevention Program These tips will help you to successfully lead group activities and to engage the youth in your program. 5. Recommendations for Working with Parents Parental involvement is a key to the success of your prevention program. These tips will help you to provide parents with information about alcohol and drugs and to encourage them to be active participants in your prevention effort. 6. Prevention Curricula and Model Programs The curriculum and structure of your prevention program will depend upon the population you are trying to reach and your program’s goals. These curriculum reviews and effective models can serve as a guide as you plan and implement your prevention program. * Curriculum Review of Growing Up Black and Proud This curriculum is specifically tailored to address issues important to African-American youth and to empower them to choose a positive and healthy lifestyle. * Curriculum Review of Clued In! This fun and informative series of workbooks for children in grades three through six teaches them the information, skills, and character traits that will help them avoid alcohol and drug use. * Curriculum Review of A Matter of Balance This workbook for college students and other young adults helps them to recognize their responsibility to choose a healthy drug- and alcohol-free lifestyle for themselves. * Creating Lasting Family Connections Creating Lasting Family Connections is a comprehensive prevention program designed and implemented by the Council on Prevention and Education: Substances. Learn more about this effective program in this article. 7. Self-Assessment: Warning Signs of Chemical Dependence This questionnaire will help the youth in your program take a careful look at whether they are in danger of becoming dependent upon alcohol or drugs. 8. Common Slang Terms for Drugs Use this list to help you identify types of drugs to which youth may be exposed. Project Evaluation Tools | 
