Alcohol and Drug Education

Today's kids need the truth about drugs, and they need this while they're young, before it's too late. With approximately 22 million drug addicts andalcoholics in the United Sates, addiction treatment and law enforcement is not nearly enough to handle this major problem we face. Every year 3 million young people (ages 10-14) try illegal drugs for the first time. Alcohol and other drugs cost this nation $168 billion a year. That's $675 for every man, women and child.

To help turn this tide, the Narconon network has worked steadily since 1979 bringing drug prevention education to school children. Each year skilled Narconon presenters now reach over 100,000 people in schools, youth groups, corporations and civic groups.

Effective drug education and prevention is the key to totally rid our society of the festering sore of substance abuse. The Narconon Drug Education Program is providing that service to complement the most successful treatment facilities in the world.

Program has reached 1.5 million people

Over the last two decades, the Narconon Drug Education Program has been able to reach over a million and a half students, teachers, police officers and professionals by providing vital information about drugs and alcohol and the truth about what these harmful substances actually do to a person's mind and body.

Illicit drug use affects more than just the addict and his/her family. Many of our nation's problems can be traced to a high percentage of drug use. National statistics show that violence, theft, child abuse, prostitution, divorce, job performance and accidents are all heavily influenced by drugs. In all, this world would undoubtedly be a better place to live without the burden of "fighting the war on drugs."

Narconon Drug Education is an effective solution

It is clear that we must try to stop drug abuse before it starts. The need for effective drug prevention has been established for many years. Families, school administrators, teachers and community leaders realize that most drug prevention and education methods have failed.

The Narconon Drug Education Program has demonstrated effectiveness as a solution to keeping kids off drugs. Outcome studies show that early drug and alcohol prevention must give young children the truth, the vital information and tools they need to make their own choice to keep away from drugs. Our track record over the past two decades is impressive with key results reported in this proposal.

The Narconon Drug Education Program assists schools in meeting several criteria for U.S. Department of Education Title IV (Safe and Drug Free Schools) funds by continually monitoring trends in youth substance abuse, and keeping pace with changing community needs. Presentations are real, and reflect what kids are actually doing.

The program surveys every lecture class or audience to generate data on changes in perception of risk, program efficacy and for quality control. Schools are required to use strategies that provide evidence of prevention or reduction in drug use. The Narconon program consistently obtains these results.

Narconon Drug Education Program Purpose and Objectives

The purpose of the Narconon Drug Prevention Program is to prevent young people from using drugs. The major objectives of the Narconon presentation program are:

* To convey the true information regarding drugs to young people, resulting in their lack of desire or interest in using them, and a comprehension of why drugs are not a solution to life's problems.
* To provide them with information regarding peer pressure, communication, how to set and achieve goals in life, and other subjects that they can apply to their lives and to provide them with alternatives to drug and alcohol use.

Methods In delivering effective drug education, the Narconon Drug Education Program first had to address where drug education efforts have failed in the past.

The basic method used formerly in drug education has been the "scare tactic" approach. This was an attempt to scare youth away from drugs. It never worked; and in many cases perpetuated drug use by presenting information that was easily discredited.

In our presentations to schools, we have refined an approach that speaks powerfully to kids in their own language. Our professionals, many of whom are former addicts, speak from their own experiences with drugs and give a realistic picture of drug use.

Key information on drugs is presented with humor and metaphors appropriate to age level. We don't just tell kids to "say no"; we educate them to come to that conclusion on their own, and more importantly, show them how to say no.

Our study of student questionnaires has shown us in kids' own hand-writing the precise information that causes them to:

1. Decide to stop using drugs (for those who had already used them).

2. Change their mind from possibly trying or using drugs to a firm decision not to use them.

3. Believe more firmly in their decision not to use drugs (when they state they are already against them).

The Narconon Drug Education Program has also discovered the powerful role of humor in getting through to children. We discovered that the more humor we injected into the presentations, the better the results. We found a direct correlation between the level of humor and the children's perceived dangerousness of drugs, though the message is clearly a serious matter. With this light approach, kids see the dangers of drug use.

Program explores causes of drug abuse

In our school presentations we also explore the problems that often underlie drug use. A young person using drugs now has both a problem with drugs and an underlying problem that drove him to use drugs. With teenagers the causal factor can often be boredom or an inability to communicate with others. By intervening in the problem early, solutions can be worked out in other healthier ways so that resisting alcohol and other drugs becomes easier.

Other subjects, such as setting and achieving goals, are covered as a method to avoid falling into the trap of substance abuse. We clearly distinguish the feeling of "getting high" from drug use, which is temporary and damaging, and the feeling of self-confidence, stability, production and true happiness through productivity and accomplishments which is permanent and real.

Program covers ALL the basics, and more

The Narconon presentations are divided into several subjects covering the basic information regarding alcohol and other drugs. They are geared to the appropriate age groups and focus on the real life situations that often lead to drug use.

They are as follows:

o The physical effects of drugs on the body
o How drugs effect the mind
o The Truth About Marijuana
o The Truth About Ecstasy
o The Truth About Methamphetamines
o Drugs and Alcohol; how the media affects young people
o Tobacco, smoking and your health
o LSD - Today's most dangerous drug
o Establishing and achieving goals in life - how this eliminates the desire for drugs
o Peer pressure and resisting drug use
o Addiction - how it starts and what keeps a person addicted
o Antisocial characteristics - knowing your peers and environmental surroundings

Program outcomes and evaluations

Following the presentations, each student is given a questionnaire to help us to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. The surveys provide vital information that is used to enhance, update and increase the effectiveness of our presentations.

Our success in reaching students is measured by the question; "Did your thoughts about using drugs change after hearing our presentation?"

To date, we have received an overall 95% positive response to the program. 40% had not perceived drugs to be that dangerous, but now feel they will never try drugs. 45% said their decision not to use drugs had been reinforced after hearing the talk. Over 96% felt they learned a lot about drugs that they didn't know before.

What People Say about Narconon Arrowhead Drug Education

"Students actively listen and learn"

"Often children are misinformed about the painful effects of alcohol and drug use or abuse. The Narconon presenter was able to clear up the myths and misunderstandings about substance use and abuse. In addition to his charismatic teaching approach, his willingness to share his own struggle with substance abuse encouraged our students to actively listen and learn from his presentation."
-- School Counselor

"Effective and beneficial"

"Everyone appreciated the straight forward approach in providing relevant information on what drugs do to the body. Furthermore, his honesty and willingness to share his story with the audience proved to be extremely effective and beneficial. The students were attentive and learned things I'm sure they hadn't previously known or understood. We plan to have Narconon back for future presentations and will spread the word to other schools in the community."
-- Health Teacher

"Program can truly save lives"

"I, personally, was very moved by the presentation. I also learned new information along with our students. I believe, after hearing the presentation myself, that this program can truly save lives as well as help people make decisions that will lead them towards productive lives."
-- School Principal

"Very effective for all who attended"

"The staff joins me in expressing gratitude for the excellent presentations you gave on drugs. The childrens' discussion after the lecture demonstrated that they understood and retained the information. Your involvement certainly lent evidence to the harmful effects of drugs and this factor made the presentation very effective for all who attended."
-- School Principal

"Real, life-like examples of drug situations so more people could relate to it"

"I don't think it should be classified as a 'lecture', because it was much more than that . . . He was not teaching us things we couldn't relate to, but he was at our level, so it was fun and understandable. He gave us real, life-like examples of drug situations, so more people could relate to 'making the right decision'.
-- Student

"I could understand where he was coming from. I was recently thinking about trying some [drugs], but after hearing about some of his experiences, I changed my mind."
-- High School Student

To learn more about Narconon Arrowhead's Drug Education Program or to schedule a presentation in your community, contact the Director of Drug Education J.T. Daily at 1-800-468-6933 today!

Read more information about alcohol and other drug addiction treatment and rehabilitation.

Alcohol Rehabilitation Program

» alcohol treatment program origin
» L. Ron Hubbard and the Narconon Program
» alcohol treatment program overview
» alcohol addiction treatment research
» alcohol and drug education
» narconon arrowhead faq

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