Teen Awareness & Prevention Programs in School

Considerations

• Whether you are thinking of starting an awareness and prevention program at your teen's school or your child is thinking of joining a peer-led group, keep in mind that looking into touchy subjects such as drug use, sexual activity and physical violence may involve taking some considerations into account. Your teen's school may have policies that prohibit certain topics from becoming openly discussed or that limit the types of content that can be provided. Additionally, your child's school may require the parents to sign a release that allows their children to participate. For example, the National Conference of State Legislatures notes that three states require parental consent before a high schooler can have any type of sex education -- including pregnancy or STD prevention -- program at school. Another consideration to take into account is the need to find a program leader or presenter. Although you might not have trouble getting a knowledgeable parent or community health advocate to come in and talk to the teens, the school may put restrictions on visitors or require background checks.

Substance Use and Abuse

• According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a 2011 survey found that 39 percent of high schoolers said that they had drank alcohol at some point in the past 30 days; 22 percent reported binge drinking; and 8 percent admitted to drinking and driving. While alcohol is a popular substance for kids to try, teens may also experiment with drugs such as marijuana, hallucinogens, cocaine or inhalants, the CDC advises. A teen awareness and substance abuse prevention program at school can help teens better understand the dangers of alcohol and drugs and learn ways to say no when it comes to peer pressure. Substance use and abuse programs may focus on a specific aspect of these problems. For example, Students Against Drunk Driving provides kids with the chance to learn about the dangers of drinking and driving.

Pregnancy and STDs

• The CDC notes that, in a 2011 survey of high schoolers, over 47 percent of teens say that they have had sex at least once. Of the teens who report having had sex, 39 percent didn't use a condom and 76 percent didn't use any form of birth control at all. As the CDC notes, risky sexual behaviors result in over 9 million new cases of sexually transmitted diseases in young people each year. According to Planned Parenthood, roughly 30 percent of all women under age 20 in the U.S. become pregnant. High school programs may focus on preventing STDs and unplanned pregnancies through sexual education programs and free testing. The Chicago Public Schools prevention programs, for example, provide students with information on safe sex and STDs as well as free testing.

Violence

• According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2011 alone there were 597,500 nonfatal violent crimes or acts committed in America's middle and high schools. Violence in school may include bullying, physical fights, gang activity or sexual assaults. Given the prevalence of violent behaviors among teens in high school, awareness and prevention programs can help kids identify, handle and report these issues without fear. Preventive programs, such as the CDC's Striving to Reduce Youth Violence Everywhere, often referred to with the acronym STRYVE, educate young people on ways to stop violence before it starts.