EWCSD is addressing Drug and Violence Prevention.   It has done so by hiring a part time Drug & Violence Prevention social worker.  The goal of this service is to reduce violent related incidents and substance use at schools by ensuring all evidence based violence and drug prevention curriculum are being implemented in the classrooms.  The DVP social worker will work to address any barriers/obstacles that interfere with program implementation.   EWCSD elementary schools are using Too Good for Drugs and Too Good for Violence, while the middle schools are using Project ALERT, Missing Link, and the Olweus Bullying Prevention program. These programs have been proven to reduce students getting involved in at risk behaviors, such as substance use and violence while equipping them with pro-social skills to combat these pressures.    The DVP social worker will also coordinate with local agencies to provide relevant violence prevention information and programs to parents (i.e. cyber bullying, gangs, etc.)

Additionally, a component of the Drug and Violence Prevention program is the partnership EWCSD has formed with Los Angeles Centers for Alcohol and Drug Abuse (L.A.C.A.D.A.).  Given that inhalant use has been identified as a growing concern among our middle school students, together EWCSD and L.A.C.A.D.A. will work on launching an Inhalant campaign which will aim to educate all middle school aged students about the risks and side-effects of inhalant, marijuana, and alcohol use.  Additionally, EWCSD and L.A.C.A.D.A. will provide services and family support for students in need of substance abuse treatment, as well as offer parenting classes to educate them about issues surrounding substance use/abuse.