Drug Use Disorder Education/Prevention

The program provides substance use disorder prevention to youth in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. Services include drug use disorder education/prevention and alcohol use disorder educational/prevention programs in schools, presentations to community groups and publications. The program is provided in coordination with schools, PTA's, and Neighborhood Watch and other community groups. Services are restricted to the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.

The program provides educational programs in schools to elementary and high school students through the STAR (Success Through Awareness and Resistance) unit. The elementary program is presented to fourth, fifth and sixth graders. It is designed to help children develop a good sense of self-esteem by teaching coping skills, addressing peer pressure and suggesting alternatives to alcohol, drugs and gangs. The program also makes available a computerized curriculum for classroom use to supplement presentations.

The program for high school students is designed for presentation in school assemblies. It focuses on the dangers for substance abuse during pregnancy and includes information about the signs of drug abuse, drug paraphernalia, community prevention programs and effective parenting.