Sampling the Curricula
The following drug-prevention programs are all nationally available and target K-12 students.
BABES: Program presented in seven sessions per year. Promotes development of personal skills. Curriculum presented in cartoon, storybook format and may be more suitable for K-6. Contact: Babesworld, 33 E. Forest, Detroit, Mich. 48201; (800) 452-2237.
Choosing for Yourself II: Taught at each grade level in 20 sessions per year. Emphasis on tobacco, alcohol, and drugs. Includes family homework assignments.Contact: Innovative Learning Group, 975 Walnut St., Suite 342, Cary, N.C. 27511; (800) 243-9169.
DARE: Curriculum covers smoking, drinking, and drugs and is taught by uniformed police officers.
“Core sessions” are followed with essays and student graduation from the program.Contact: DARE America, P.O. Box 2090, Los Angeles, Calif. 90051-0090; (800) 223-DARE.
Discover: Skills for Life: Twenty to 30 lessons per year presented using colorful materials, focusing on drugs and violence. Lesson plans heavy on text in middle and high school.Contact: American Guidance Service, 4201 Woodland Road, Circle Pines, Minn. 55014-1796; (800) 328-2560.
Here’s Looking at You 2000: Fifteen to 30 sessions per year. Personal- and social-skills training activities such as role-playing. Resource kits include books, videos, games, puppets, puzzles, and a detailed teacher’s guide. Contact: CHEF, 22323 Pacific Highway S., Seattle, Wash. 98198; (800) 323-2433.
Learning About Alcohol and Other Drugs: Includes six to 10 alcohol and six to 10 drug lessons for each grade level. Teacher is given a choice of lessons in each unit. Contact: CASPAR Alcohol and Drug Education Program, 226 Highland Ave., Somerville, Mass. 02143; (617) 623-2080.
Learning To Live Drug Free: Produced by the U.S. Department of Education and free to schools. Curriculum divided into four modules with eight to 12 lesson plans per module. Contact: National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information, Department CPI, Box 2345, Rockville, Md. 20852; (800) 729-6686.
Project Oz: Lengthy drug, alcohol, tobacco, and violence-prevention curriculum. Flexible format. Teachers have numerous activities to choose from in each skill area so that program can range between 20 and 140 sessions per year. Contact: Project Oz, 502 S. Morris Ave., Bloomington, Ill. 61701; (309) 827-0377.
That’s Life: Twenty to 47 sessions per year focusing on personal- and social-skills training. Includes extensive background material for teachers on prevention and identifying at-risk children. Contact: Telesis Corp., 409 Camino Del Rio S., Suite 205, San Diego, Calif. 92108; (800) 542-2966.
SOURCE: “Making the Grade: A Guide to School Drug Prevention Programs” by Drug Strategies, Washington, D.C.