Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Prevention
A Developmentally Sequenced Approach to Substance Misuse Prevention
Substance misuse among school-aged children and adolescents remains a significant public health challenge. Data from the CDC’s 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey indicates that nearly 30% of high school students reported current use of alcohol, marijuana, or prescription opioids. Specifically, 22.7% reported alcohol use, 15.8% reported marijuana use, and 6% reported prescription opioid misuse. In addition, approximately 15% of high school students reported current vaping, and nearly one-third reported use of at least one substance, including tobacco, alcohol, or marijuana, within the past 30 days. These findings demonstrate that, despite ongoing prevention efforts, substance misuse remains common among youth and reinforce the need for effective, developmentally appropriate prevention education in schools.
National Teen Drug Use Statistics
- 22.7% reported alcohol use
- 15.8% reported marijuana use
- 6% reported prescription opioid misuse
The Michigan Model for Health meets this need through a comprehensive, developmentally sequenced alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs education curriculum for kindergarten through grade 12. The program provides age appropriate instruction that builds knowledge and skills over time, helping students make informed decisions, resist peer pressure, and support healthy, substance free lifestyles. Skills are introduced early, reinforced across grades, and strengthened as students mature.
School based prevention education is essential to reducing youth substance misuse. Through consistent, evidence-based instruction, the Michigan Model for Health helps students recognize risks, build resilience, and develop the skills needed for long-term healthy decision-making. The program offers schools a proven health education prevention solution that supports positive outcomes throughout student development.
Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs
Grades K-2: Building Awareness and Safety
Young children learn the difference between medicines and harmful substances. Instruction helps students understand that alcohol, tobacco, nicotine, and other drugs are unsafe for kids and should only be handled by trusted adults. Students practice simple decision-making and refusal skills, focusing on recognizing unsafe situations and knowing how to seek help.
Key Skills Developed:
- Refusal skills
- Basic decision making
Key Topics:
- Safe versus unsafe substances
- Alcohol, tobacco, and nicotine awareness
Grades 3-5: Understanding Effects and Influences
Upper elementary students learn how alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and vaping affect the body and brain. Lessons explore peer pressure and media influences on substance misuse. Students practice refusal skills in realistic situations and develop advocacy skills to promote healthy choices.
Key Skills Developed:
- Refusal skills
- Analyzing influences
- Advocacy
Key Topics:
- Effects of substances on health
- Peer and media influence
- Vaping prevention
Grades 6-8: Prevention, Brain Health, and Advocacy
Middle school instruction deepens students’ understanding of addiction, brain development, and increased risks of substance misuse during adolescence. Lessons address current priorities, including vaping, opioids, and prescription drug misuse. Students practice advocacy, support friends, and make informed social decisions.
Key Skills Developed:
- Refusal and resistance skills
- Analyzing social influences
- Peer advocacy
Key Topics:
- Addiction and brain development
- Opioid and prescription drug misuse
- Vaping and nicotine prevention
Grades 9-12: Informed Decision-Making and Peer Support
High school students examine the short- and long-term health, legal, and social impacts of substance misuse. Instruction includes opioids, vaping, marijuana, and other substance misuse, emphasizing real-world application. Students develop advanced skills in critical thinking, advocacy, and peer support to promote substance-free lifestyles and make responsible choices as they transition to adulthood.
Key Skills Developed:
- Critical thinking
- Refusal and advocacy
- Peer support
Support for Teachers and Families
Teachers are motivated and better able to teach any subject if they understand the issues related to the topic. The Michigan Model for Health™ offers training prior to implementation of the health curriculum and provides scripted lessons with Google slides, hands-on materials, worksheets, handouts, family resources, assessments and other resources.
Family resources provide parents and caregivers with information and guidance to help children make healthy and substance-free choices. These resources:
- Explain the effects of alcohol, tobacco, vaping, prescription drugs, and marijuana, offer strategies for prevention, and show how to recognize signs of substance misuse.
- Connect families to support services and provide activities to build skills such as decision-making, refusal, and coping which gives families practical tools to support prevention at home.