Substance prevention is a crucial aspect of maintaining a healthy society. By actively working to prevent the abuse of drugs and alcohol, we can protect individuals from the devastating consequences that come with addiction. Substance prevention programs aim to educate and empower people of all ages, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions and resist peer pressure. These efforts not only help to reduce the prevalence of substance abuse, but also contribute to improved mental and physical health, stronger communities, and increased productivity. Investing in substance prevention is an investment in a brighter future for everyone.
Youth Prevention Programs
IN-SCHOOL PROGRAMMING
Substance Prevention education services are directed to affect critical life and social skills, improve decision making and refusal skills, enhance adolescent’s resilience, increase knowledge about alcohol and other drugs, decrease adolescent’s use of alcohol and other drugs, delay onset use of alcohol and other drugs, increase knowledge about environmental factors that promote alcohol and other drugs.
AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Utilizing the evidence-based YAS, which is a substance prevention program that needs to reach as many young people as possible. Involving low-risk students ensures that at-risk students will understand that drug use and other risky behaviors are not normal or acceptable to the peer group. We are currently working in five school districts in Richland County.
SUMMER/WINTER CAMPS
During the summer break and winter break, The Mansfield UMADAOP serve over 250 youth with the goal to preserve the information they receive during the school year and also increase the tools that they currently have.
Family Prevention Programs
Enhanced Community-Based Program
- Enhanced Community-Based Program is family skills training program designed to increase resilience and reduce risk factors for behavioral, emotional, academic, and social problems in children 3-16 years old.
- The Parenting Skills sessions are designed to help parents learn to increase desired behaviors in children by using attention and rewards, clear communication, effective discipline, substance use education, problem solving, and limit setting.
- In the Family like skills sessions, families engage in structured family activities, practice therapeutic child play, conduct family meetings, learn communication skills, practice effective discipline, reinforce positive behaviors in each other, and plan family activities together.