Overview
One of the top preventable health issues facing our youth today is the use of mind-altering substances. Youth substance use impacts the developing brain and can affect attention, learning, mood, impulse control, and puts youth at an increased risk for future addiction. The overall goal of substance use prevention and intervention is to promote healthy brain, body, and social development by preventing:
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illicit drug use
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prescription drugs misuse
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tobacco use
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underage drinking
The Utah State Board of Education Prevention Team collaborates closely with the Utah Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Substance Use and Mental Health to ensure effective prevention practices. The principles followed in preventing substance use are equally important in other prevention efforts such as suicide prevention, bullying prevention, and other behavioral health issues taking a toll on our youth.
Contact Us
Laws and Policies
Positive Behavior Plans
Every Utah public school should have a Local Education Agency (LEA) governing board-approved Positive Behaviors Plan. A Positive Behaviors Plan is, a plan to address the causes of student use of tobacco, alcohol, electronic cigarette products and other controlled substances through promoting positive behaviors.
Utah Code Section Title 53G-10-407: Positive Behaviors Plan - Positive Behaviors Specialist Stipend
- Reports
Utah State Legislature
Administrative Ruel R277-910-5: Underage Drinking and Substance Abuse Prevention Program
Utah State Board of Education Administrative Rules
Utah Code Section Title 53G-10-407: Overview of the Positive Behaviors Plan - Frequently asked questions
Underage Drinking and Substance Abuse Prevention Program
An Underage Drinking and Substance Abuse Prevention program must be offered to all 4th or 5th graders and 7th or 8th graders and 9th or 10th graders. Currently, the Utah State Board of Educations approved provider is Botvin LifeSkills Training (LST).
Utah Code Section Title 53G-10-406: Underage Drinking and Substance Abuse Prevention Program - State
Board Rules
Utah State Legislature
Administrative Rule R277-910: Underage Drinking and Substance Abuse Prevention Program
Utah State Board of Education Administrative Rules
Utah Code Section Title 53F-9-304: Underage Drinking and Substance Abuse Prevention Program Restricted
Account
Utah State Legislature
Overview of the Underage Drinking and Substance Abuse Prevention Program (Botvin LifeSkills Training)
School Policies for Addressing Student Substance Use
School Policies: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs
Utah State Board of Education
Resources
ADAPT Prevention Intervention Resource Center
Resource Includes
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Sharing substance related information with youth to prevent unintended harm
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Talking with youth about substance use prevention
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Developing a communications plan
DEA Growing Up Drug-Free: A Parent's Guide to Prevention
Resource includes:
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Drug Information
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Why kids use substances
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How to talk to kids about drugs
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What parents can do if they think their child is using drugs
FDA Tobacco Education Resource Library
Resource includes:
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How parents can talk to kids about vaping
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How to spot covert vaping devices
Gray Matters
Resource includes:
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Information on how youth marijuana use can impact youth brain development
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How parents can prevent youth marijuana use
Parents Empowered
Resource includes:
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Information on how underage drinking can impact youth brain development
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How parents can prevent underage drinking
SAMHSA: Talking to your kids about Prescription Drug Abuse
Resource includes:
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Recognizing the signs of prescription drug misuse
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Tips for preventing youth prescription drug misuse
See through the Vape
Resource includes:
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Vaping overview
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Dangers of vaping
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Help quiting
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How parents can help their teen quit
Evidence-Based Program Directories
Best Practices and Resources Library Alcohol, Tobacco, and Electronic Cigarette Prevention
and Cessation Interventions
Utah State Board of Education
Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development
Identifies youth violence, delinquency, and drug prevention and intervention programs
that meet a strict scientific standard of program effectiveness.
Crime Solutions
National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
A federal website that uses rigorous research to determine what works in criminal
justice, juvenile justice, and crime victim services. Many programs listed address
behavioral health issues. This resource aims to assist in practical decision making
and program implementation by gathering information on specific justice-related programs
and reviewing the existing evaluation research against standard criteria.
What Works Clearinghouse (WWC)
Institute of Education Sciences (IES)
Presents findings of a systematic review process designed to identify scientific evidence
of what works in education. Findings are presented to the public through a variety
of products including practice guides, online reports and reviews, and a studies database.
Professional Learning
Substance Use Prevention and Intervention Professional Learning
Complete the Student Services Training Request Portal survey (TRP) to request training on substance use prevention.
Botvin LifeSkills Teacher Training
An Underage Drinking and Substance Abuse Prevention proram must be offered to all 4th or 5th graders and 7th or 8th graders and 9th or 10th graders. Currently, the Utah State Board of Education's approved provider is Botvin LifeSkills Training (LST). Each staff member who will be implementing the program should have completed a one-time training.
How to register for the staff member Botvin LifeSkills Training:
Step 1: Click here to register on MIDAS
Be sure to go to your cart and "check-out" after registering to ensure that your registration
is complete.
Step 2: After registering on MIDAS, participants should complete this Qualtrics survey so that the training access code and materials are sent to the correct email address and physical address.