Substance Use Disorder Education

Effective substance abuse prevention is critical to ensuring the academic success of Berrien County’s youth. Because children spend more than a quarter of their day at school, schools have a unique opportunity to deliver effective alcohol, tobacco, and drug prevention programs. In doing so, they reinforce norms against substance use as well as give students peer refusal and other life skills.

Prevention Specialists

Prevention Specialists work in partnership with the Berrien County Intermediate School District to assist 5th grade teachers in providing alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and other drug education to their students. Using the Alcohol, Tobacco, Marijuana, and Other Drug module of the Michigan Model for Health curriculum, an average of 1,200 Berrien County students receive this education annually. 

Michigan Model of Health

The Michigan Model for Health curriculum is recognized nationally as an evidence-based program that has proven effective in providing age appropriate information to youth. The major themes for all grade levels include:

  • The effects of tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana and inhalants
  • Influence of family and friends
  • Influence of advertising/media strategies
  • Refusal skills

Prevention Educational Presentations

Prevention Specialists also provide presentations to students in 7th grade and above and to area youth groups. Topics covered can include, but are not limited to: the consequences of drug use and abuse, the dangers of alcohol and tobacco, marijuana use, prescription drug abuse, date rape/club drug trends, and methamphetamine problems. Presentations can be tailored to fit the needs and issues in your area. There is no cost associated with these presentations.

Additional Information

For more information about the alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other drug education provided to students or educational presentations available, please email Lisa Peeples-Hurst [email protected] or call 269-927-5690.