To start, here is what we do:

• We teach evidence-based courses in schools that explain the consequences of drug use as well as skills and strategies for not getting involved with drugs. It begins with critical skills like peer refusal skills, decision-making, goal setting, and managing emotions.
• We advise the Youth Action Board, a group of motivated teenagers who do things around the community to support drug-free lifestyles. These teens develop prevention messages, assist with Prescription Take-Back Days, lead in-school media campaigns and much more.
• We run alcohol and vaping prevention communication campaigns in several juniors high schools to help get positive messages about non-use to youth. Many schools across the state are getting the same messaging with the goal of moving the needle on some Illinois Youth Survey markers around access, view of harmfulness, and social norms.

The result? More students and their parents are aware that NOT using drugs is the norm. Students report feeling less pressure to drink or use other drugs, and they feel more free to ask tough questions knowing that we’re there to give straight answers.