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Safety First
A Comprehensive, Harm-Reduction Based, Drug Intervention Curriculum
Safety First
A Comprehensive, Harm-Reduction Based, Drug Intervention Curriculum
Drug education should be:
Scientifically accurate, providing accurate information about all drugs.
Interactive
Compassionate, taking into account that some youth will have used and/or sold drugs – or have close friends and family members who have.
About the Program:
Audience: Safety First is meant for high school students. This curriculum is particularly relevant for students already using, for students at-risk for using, and/or for students living in communities in which there are any level of exposure to drugs. The curriculum is designed to be used in classrooms or group settings.
Safety First was developed according to the following principles:
Americans have been trying to prevent teenagers from drug use for more than a century. A variety of methods, from scare tactics to “Just Say No” techniques have been used to prevent and reduce youth drug use.
The safest path for teens is to avoid drugs altogether, including alcohol, cigarettes, cannabis, and prescription drugs outside of a doctor’s recommendations.
Some youth will choose to try drugs, regardless of the risks. In order to reduce potential harm, we must teach young people strategies for keeping themselves and their friends safer when they do encounter drugs.
Educating and empowering teenagers to make safe and healthy choices must be our highest priority.
Encourage youth not to use drugs in the first place
Encourage youth who are already using to stop or at least cut back or make alternative choices to reduce their risk
Provide straightforward; science-based information
Explore the real and perceived benefits
Prioritize safety through personal responsibility and knowledge
Here's what to keep in mind when diving into the Safety First Curriculum:
Define what is a drug and create initial dialogue with students on their perceptions about alcohol and other drugs;
Lessons about how drugs affect the brain and body, especially the teenage brain, and factors that contribute to physical drug dependence
Harm reduction concepts and strategies that can empower students to make healthy choices, using accurate, scientifically-based information
Substantive lessons about the major categories of drugs: stimulants, cannabis, e-cigarettes/vaping, alcohol and other depressants, psychedelics, prescription and other opioids
How to recognize problem use, signs of an overdose, and how to respond in an emergency
Learn about other ways to help students cope with stress, anxiety, and depression without using drugs
MHCB Program Manager Notes:
This is a free program
It is an American resource
It is evidence-based