Positive Learning Climates KnowledgeBase

NIDA for Teens: The Science Behind Drug Abuse

As noted at its website, "the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a component of the National Institutes of Heath (NIH), created this website to educate adolescents ages 11 through 15 (as well as their parents and teachers) on the science behind drug abuse. The site delivers science-based facts about how drugs affect the brain and body, so kids will be armed with better information to make healthy decisions."

D.A.R.E.

D.A.R.E is a widely known anti-drug abuse program used in schools throughout the United States. However, schools should note there is no scientifically-based research that shows the effectiveness of the program. This is important in regard to NCLB requirements for funding programs with federal dollars. Schools that are using the program seem to be doing so as part of a broader drug abuse curriculum.

Monitoring the Future Survey

The Monitoring the Future Survey, conducted by the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research and funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at the National Institutes of Health, has tracked 12th graders' illicit drug use and attitudes toward drugs since 1975.

The Partnership for a Drug-Free America

As noted at its website, "the Partnership for a Drug-Free America is a nonprofit organization uniting communications professionals, renowned scientists and parents. The Partnership's goal is to help kids and teens reject substance abuse by influencing attitudes through persuasive information."