Youth Serving Organizations
Another important part of our youth initiative is partnering with programs that serve youth outside of the classroom. We offer a variety of presentations and programming opportunities that focus on substance use/misuse prevention, self-care techniques, and resource connection for afterschool and extracurricular groups. Contact our Youth Initiatives Coordinator, Asheton Casey, at acasey@metrodrug.org to learn more about our program opportunities.
Generation RX Program
Prescription and over-the-counter medicines are typically accessible and visible in our homes, and children should understand prescription and over-the-counter medication safety at an early age. The Generation RX program are age-appropriate, engaging resources that educate children about medication safety principles, equipping them with a foundation for understanding how to use medicines safely before they enter their teen and adult years.
This program can be implemented in small or large groups, as stand-alone activities or in combination with other lessons. Some activities may be better suited for younger children (grades K-2), while others may be more appropriate for older students (grades 3-5).
Middle & High School
Substance Use and Misuse Prevention Curriculum
My Drug Free Life is a comprehensive substance use and misuse prevention curriculum for middle and high school aged teens that meets the Substance Use and Abuse standards for Knox County Schools. The program includes slideshow presentations, activity ideas, and resource information. The content includes the following:
Definition and de-stigmatization of addiction/substance use disorders
Overview of different substances (i.e. alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, prescription and over the counter drug misuse, illicit drugs)
Short- and long-term effects of substance use/misuse
Effects of substances on teen brain development
What is drug abuse
Proper use vs. misuse of medication
Impact of media and advertising on teen drug use
Why people use substances, risk factors, and peer pressure
- Protective factors and positive alternative coping skills
How to build self-esteem
Understanding addiction
Assertive communication and refusal skills
Resource connection
How to talk to a trusted adult about substance use concerns
Students are challenged to focus on not only how drugs affect their own lives and their own bodies now, but how their decisions affect them in the future, as well as how their decisions affect other people. If you are interested in obtaining My Drug Free Life curriculum material, reach out to our Youth Initiatives Coordinator, Asheton Casey, below.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
Adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, are potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood (0-17 years). For example:
- experiencing violence, abuse, or neglect
- witnessing violence in the home or community
- having a family member attempt or die by suicide
Also included are aspects of the child’s environment that can undermine their sense of safety, stability, and bonding such as growing up in a household with:
- substance misuse
- mental health problems
- instability due to parental separation or household members being in jail or prison
ACEs are linked to chronic health problems, mental illness, and substance misuse in adulthood. ACEs can also negatively impact education and job opportunities. However, ACEs can be prevented. If you are interested in having an MDC staff member come to your school or business to educate your team on ACES, please email one of the contacts below. Or, to learn more about ACEs, visit their website below.