Multicultural Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Program
The goal of this program is to prevent substance abuse by building positive attitudes, values, behaviors, and life skills. Our target population is youth in grades 1-12 and their families who may have experienced more than three (3) shared risk factors for substance use and violence. These may include:
- Individual
- Aggressive or behavioral problems
- Low academic achievement
- Poor emotional regulation or disorder
- Low self-concept/self-esteem
- Family
- Exposure to family violence or conflict
- Substance use by parents or siblings
- Parents or siblings engaged in illegal activities or violence
- Incarceration of parents or siblings
- Homelessness, highly transitory, or living in extreme poverty or subsidized housing
- Lack of parental or adult monitoring
- School
- Underperforming school
- Lack of bonding to school
- Community
- Living in crime, gang, or drug-ridden neighborhoods
- Perceived relaxed substance use norms in the community
Program Services At-A-Glance
- Evidence-based, curriculum-based developmentally appropriate life skills classes
- Positive alternative activities for adults and youth
- Presentations for adults or youth on substance abuse and violence issues in the community
- Community networking and collaboration to promote substance abuse prevention and mental health
- Referrals for substance abuse prevention, treatment, or other social services
Youth in grades 1-12 are referred to the classes at schools or community sites by family members, teachers, counselors, after-school program directors, or other social service agencies. Trained Prevention Specialists facilitate either the 10-week Kids’ Connection (grades 1-5), 9-week Positive Action (grades 6-8), or the 12-week Positive Action (grades 9-12) curriculum on the following topics:
- Self-Esteem
- Value Awareness
- Communication
- Anger Management
- Goal Setting
- Healthy Decision Making
- Family and Friends
- Refusal Skills
- Problem Solving
Alternative activities are opportunities to encourage and foster positive peer, family, and community bonding experiences through educational, cultural, recreational, work-oriented and volunteer service-oriented activities. MYSAP can provide activities and disseminate substance abuse information at community health fairs, cultural events, and workplace events.
Presentations are research-based and age-appropriate for either adults or youth. They consist of hands-on activities with comprehensive audience interaction. Presentations may include the following topics:
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- Current Drug Trends (adults only)
- Hidden in Plain Sight (adults only)
- Psychology of Addiction (adults only)
- Those Who Host Lose the Most (adults only)
- Tobacco and YOUth (adults or youth)
- Be A Hero, Be Drug-Free (youth)
- Custom specific substance abuse or violence topics (any)
