Youth Substance Use Prevention Resources and Strategies for K-12 Schools

SchoolSafety.gov released a new issue brief focused on youth substance use prevention, offering insights and strategies to help K-12 schools support student well-being and safety.

Youth substance use continues to present serious health risks to students and can contribute to other school safety threats such as violence and suicide. School leaders, educators, and staff play a vital role in educating students on the dangers of substance use and supporting students and families with timely information and interventions.

The new issue brief includes a focused overview of youth substance use and evidence-based strategies that schools and districts can adopt to prevent, reduce, and respond to substance use among students. It also includes a collection of related resources, such as guides, toolkits, and lesson plans, to support comprehensive, school-based prevention and response efforts.

Inside the issue brief, you’ll find strategies and resources to help schools:

• Educate students about the risks of substance use through open, honest communication.
• Train teachers and staff to recognize early signs of substance use and respond appropriately.
• Strengthen protective factors that promote healthy coping mechanisms, positive relationships, and family engagement. 
• Prevent and respond to overdoses and other substance use emergencies on school grounds.

Additional resources and information can be found on SchoolSafety.gov’s substance use topic page. For questions, please contact the Federal School Safety Clearinghouse at SchoolSafety@cisa.dhs.gov.