1. Parents in Prevention FCD Prevention Works 2017 Corinne Brisbois
Prevention Specialists 1

2. FCD Prevention Works Private nonprofit organization
Prevention is a climate, not a program
Private nonprofit organization
40 years of school- based substance abuse prevention
Over 2 million students, over 60 countries 2

3. FCD’s Prevention Approach
Outcomes and Effectiveness Driven
A collaborative process promoting healthy young people by:
Reducing risks
Intervening on unhealthy behaviors
Nurturing protections 3

4. A Health Perspective 4

5. FCD’s Intensive Student Education
Interactive Prevention Seminars
Objective-driven, richly interactive curricula combine up-to-date information and effective skill building with real-life experiences.
Teaching methods include presentation, discussion, role-play, and other age-appropriate exercises.
Flexibly structured so student input can springboard discussion.
The order of material may vary - prevention specialists capitalize on students' interests and enthusiasm. 5

6. Middle School Intensive Student Education
Facts and Strengths Building
Seminar 1: Addiction
Addiction as a disease, risk and protective factors
Seminar 2: Alcohol, Tobacco/Nicotine, and Marijuana
Basic information, the risks and consequences of use
Seminar 3: Facts About Other Drugs
More ATM discussion and other questions answered
Seminar 4: Solutions and Alternatives
How to help a friend, stress management, healthy highs 6

7. Why Do Kids Use Alcohol and Other Drugs?
What Students Tell FCD
Curiosity
Stress
“To have fun.”
“Everybody does it.”
“All the cool kids are doing it.”
Lack of information
Unknown expectations 7

8. Addiction
Definition
Addiction
An individual’s repetitive, compulsive use of a substance (or performance of a behavior) despite negative consequences. 8

9. Risk Factors for Addiction
The FACTS
Family history
Age of first use
Cravings
Tolerance
Surroundings 9

10. How the Teen Brain Works
Structural and Functional Changes
Process of synaptic pruning:
Decrease in grey matter
Increase in white matter
High levels of dopamine
Maturing
Driven emotionally
Primed socially
Risk taking
Pleasure seeking 7

11. The Teenage Brain and Substances
Unique Vulnerabilities
Alcohol and other drugs interfere with forming connections in a teen’s brain.
These connections are intended to be formed without the presence of alcohol or other drugs.
A brain in transition from child to adult is more vulnerable to addiction.
Delayed use is critical to protection. 9

12. Social Norms Approach
An Introduction
People tend to do what they perceive everyone else is doing.
What people think everyone else is doing becomes the norm. But…
…perceptions are not always accurate. Still…
…future behaviors are driven by false norms. 12

13. Prevention Using Social Norms
Healthy Perceptions for Healthy Decisions
The social norms approach is a way to prevent unhealthy behavior.
Students can learn about what’s really true.
Students can make healthy choices based on reality. 13

14. A Clear Working Model
Social Norms Approaches 14

15. How Student Use Looks
Early Detection and Intervention 15

16. Substance Use Patterns
2015 USA Student Trends
According to the 2015 Monitoring the Future Study, USA student alcohol and cigarette use in 2015 are at their lowest points since at least Much illicit drug use in the US has declined too.
Electronic cigarette use is now more prevalent among students than traditional cigarette use.
Nearly 1 in 10 8th grade students has used an e-cigarette in the past month. 16

17. Substance Use Patterns
2015 USA Student Trends
Marijuana use remained steady among 8th, 10th, and 12th graders over the past 5 years, despite lower perceived risks.
Approximately 1 in 15 8th graders, 1 in 7 10th graders, and 1 in 5 12th graders, used marijuana in the past month.
Most high school seniors (68%) do not think occasional marijuana smoking is harmful.
However, the majority of 12th grade students (71%) disapprove of regularly using. 17

18. What Parents Can Do Model healthy, appropriate attitudes and behaviors
Your Role in Prevention
Model healthy, appropriate attitudes and behaviors
Set clear limits, expectations and consequences
Know what is going on:
after school
on weekends
during breaks/vacations
When stress is high
Get to know their friends 18

19. What Parents Can Do
Your Role in Prevention
Research shows that youths who 1) perceive that their parents disapprove of substance use, and 2) who report that their parents are involved in their day-to-day activities are less likely than those who do not to use alcohol, tobacco/nicotine or illicit drugs.
Families, peers, schools, and communities are all key components in prevention. 19

20. Common Questions
What Parents Ask FCD
What do I say about my own history with alcohol or other drugs?
When and under what circumstances is teen alcohol use advisable?
What about when traveling outside the United States, where drinking ages are lower?
What are some warning signs of use?
What do I do if I think my child may be using drugs? 20

21. Questions?
Comments?
Thank you!
FCD Prevention works 21

22. Resources FCD Prevention Works National Institute on Drug Abuse
Find us on Facebook
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Partnership for Drug-Free Kids
Above the Influence 22