The program is utilized for educational support only and not as a licensed and /or accredited agency. It does not take the place of an accredited substance use program or treatment. Confidentiality will be maintained unless a student is engaging in behaviors that are harmful to themselves or others. Any known information about distribution or other criminal behavior will be reported to Administration.

The Need for Support

The National Institute on Drug Abuse & the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration report that students start experimenting with substances in middle school and the number of students using substances increases through 12th grade.

There is a common misconception that addiction is a choice and that people can stop using drugs when they want to. Addiction is complex. People develop addictions because of many reasons, including

🔷Traumatic & stressful life events              🔷Environmental factors             

 🔷Mental well-being (emotions, thoughts, feelings, and mental illness)                       

🔷Genetics and biology

Grades 7 through 10 are a key developmental period for the initiation of illicit drug use.  

Data shows that most 12th graders who have ever used a substance first used in 7th-10th grade.  

Below are some additional data points to help us better understand what students may be facing. 

Alcohol

• Alcohol is the drug most likely to have been initiated by the end of 6th grade.

Marijuana/Cannabis

• 43.7% of teens have tried marijuana in their lifetime

Vaping Cannabis

• 62.8% of 12th graders who used marijuana in the last year consumed marijuana via vaping.

Electronic Cigarettes/Vaping

• In 2024, 5.9% of middle and high school students reported current e-cigarette use, which translates to about 1.63 million students.

Our team helps students and families navigate needs and interventions to encourage the reduction/elimination of the use of substances.

Education Opportunities: Click each flyer below to learn more.