Youth Substance Web-based Prevention Education Online Curriculum
Literature, Data and Policy Review
In 2012, Colorado legalized recreational cannabis. The legalization of cannabis has been a topic of interest as the misuse of one or more of these substances can be influenced by surrounding risk and protective factors among adolescents in middle school and high school.
The information gathered on this site will inform and guide the development of a youth substance web-based prevention education curriculum. This includes an analysis of substance use, risk and protective factors, substance use in schools and community settings, a scan of current policies and literature, as well as input from youth and stakeholders.
The end product of this effort will be a middle school and high school alternative to punitive discipline curriculum. This curriculum will focus on prevention education as well as policy education with long-term goals of seeing change in risky behaviors among young people using substances.
When it comes to interpreting data and health disparities regarding race/ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity, it’s important not to misinterpret or create unintended consequences like perpetuating negative stereotypes and victim-blaming. Many of the differences between populations are the result of long-standing systemic injustice, creating conditions that negatively affect certain communities, particularly people of color and LGBTQIA+ youth.
Throughout this analysis, the language and terms used to define race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identify is based on the specific data source and collection. Variety in terms is based on these differences in collections and may not be as up-to-date with emerging best practices in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Contact:
Beth Stewart (she/her/hers), MPH
Senior Project Coordinator, Rocky Mountain Public Health Training Center https://www.rmphtc.org/
Center for Public Health Practice | Colorado School of Public Health
ELISABETH.STEWART@cuanschutz.edu