Educators are uniquely positioned to decrease substance abuse among teens.  The daily interactions educators have with youth provide critical insights into whether a teen is thriving or whether there may be underlying problems.  In addition, because educators interact with parents, they can both communicate concerns to parents, and learn from parents details teens may not readily share with teachers.  Plus, in their daily interactions, educators have an opportunity to model healthy lifestyle choices.  This rare combination makes educators crucial to the overall success of this project, so educators, get involved!!

As an educator, ask yourself these questions:

• Has your school or community assessed student drinking and drug problems to determine the extent of the problem?
• Do you know what factors may be contributing to underage drinking in your school or community (e.g., easy access to alcohol, peer pressure, adults’ failure to address the issue)?
• Do you know what prevention steps, if any, are being taken within your school system to help kids resist the pressure to drink?
• Is your school currently working to educate parents about underage alcohol use?
• Does your school have an active partnership with the families of its students?
• Is your local coalition involved with your school system?