Substance Abuse Prevention Intervention Specialist Information (SAPIS)

Started in 1971, in response to a growing awareness of the dangers of youthful alcohol and substance abuse, SAPIS and SPARK programs have consistently won national acclaim. Their innovative approaches to programs have empowered and motivated students to redirect their lives.

The Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention Network in NYC Schools offers evidence based classroom education, prevention and intervention services. The program is called SAPIS* in grades K-8 and SPARK in grades 9-12.

The goals of the program are:

• Reduce the prevalence of substance abuse among youth, delay the initiation of substance abuse behavior among youth, decrease the negative health, social and educational consequences associated with substance abuse.

• Prevent the escalation of substance abuse behaviors to levels requiring treatment

These include:

• Classroom lessons (using evidence based programs)

• INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP COUNSELING

• CRISIS INTERVENTION

• CONFLICT RESOLUTION

• ASSESSMENTS AND REFERRALS FOR MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES

Classroom lessons give students sound information about alcohol and other drugs. These proven effective curricula are structured

in a series, as a continuous process, through all grade levels.

Classroom Lessons:

• Provide accurate, age-appropriate, culturally sensitive information that emphasizes the significant consequences of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use and other risky behavior

• Identify personal risk factors that can lead to substance abuse and identify students who need further help

• Teach techniques to reduce both anger and stress

• Build self-esteem to reinforce positive self concept

Evidence Based Programming used with Students:

• Second Step

• Too Good For Drugs

• Too Good For Violence

• Lifeskills

Other Programs Used:

• Restorative Circles

• Beautiful Me - Self Esteem Group for Girls

• Resolving Conflict Creatively

• Don't Laugh At Me

Building pro-social life skills help youngsters to connect socially to others. Socialization skills help counteract the sense of isolation that so often overwhelms students.

This training aims to provide young people with:

• Tools to build communication skills (i.e. creative writing, role playing and video taping) which provide constructive outlets to express feelings

• Assertiveness training to help build a strong self-image

• Development of refusal skills to overcome harmful peer pressure

• Consumer awareness, to help identify positive and negative advertising

• Skills to reduce stress

• Students who are at risk for alcohol and substance abuse, gang involvement suspension from school, disruptive behaviors, and violations of the Discipline Code are referred to SAPIS for intervention services.

• SAPIS provide parent workshops which address alcohol and substance abuse issues as well as bullying and violence prevention.

• SAPIS provide assessment and referrals

• SAPIS provide crisis response services to schools needing support during crisis incidents

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