What is “Prevention”?

Prevention services include identification and assessment of individuals exposed to and/or involved in high risk activities.  Prevention services also provide strategies to increase awareness education and assistance with implementation of healthy alternatives.

Our prevention services are funded by Northern Michigan Substance Abuse Services (NMSAS) and are offered free of charge. 

Teen Intervene

Teen Intervene is an education program designed to support parents and youth ages 12-17 regarding current trends in alcohol and drug use. Class format includes 2-Session individual meetings for youth and a 1-Session meeting with parents.

The sessions will address:

• Stressors and alternative stress relieving methods

• Goal Setting

• Peer Preasure and decision making

• Family life

• Talking to teens about drugs and alcohol

• Family rules regarding substance use

B.A.S.I.C.S

(Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students)

A program designed for individuals ages 18-25. Intended to prevent reentry into the judicial system or school disciplinary system. Class format includes 2-Session Individual Meetings.

The sessions will address:

• Typical and Atypical Drinking Patterns

• Symptoms of Alcohol Dependence

• History of Alcohol and other Drug use

• Health and Other Risks Associated with Alcohol Use

• Perception of Negative Consequences Associated with Alcohol Use

• Monitoring of Alcohol Use

• Personalized Feedback Given in Terms of Risks Associated with Use

Prevention Assesment

Problem identification screening for youth who do not have clear substance abuse related problems. This can include but is not limited to truancy, incorrigibility, underage tobacco use, or other reasons that are impending success. Format includes a one-hour interview with a follow-up diagnosis and possible referral to further services.

The interview will adress:

• Family and Individual History

• Substance Use History

• Education and Employment

• Health Information

• Family life

Botvin Lifeskills

Botvin LifeSkills Training (LST) is a research-validated substance abuse prevention program proven to reduce the risks of alcohol, tobacco, drug abuse, and violence by targeting the major social and psychological factors that promote the initiation of substance use and other risky behaviors. 6-8 week sessions are held in the schools as well as other sites around the community.

The sessions will address:

• Communication Skills

• Social Skills

• Peer Preasure

• Resistance Skills

• Smoking Information

• Drug and Alcohol Information

• Advertising and the Media

• Self-Esteem

• Assertiveness

• Decision Making

Project Success

An 8 week education program held in area schools and other sites throughout the community addressing a variety of topics that are directly and indirectly related to substance use, misuse, and abuse.

The sessions will address:

• What it Means to be a Teenager

• Family Stress

• Individual Stress

• Healthy Ways to Handle Stress

• Drug and Alcohol Information

• Peer Pressure and Resistance Skills

Camp Iknowme

Camp Iknowme is a collaborative effort to provide a four-week summer program for up to twelve 13-15 year old teens in Midland County who are involved in both the juvenile justice and community mental health systems. This will be the seventh year for Camp Iknowme. There are no other day camps in the community that are specifically tailored to this at-risk population.

Scheduled weekly approaches include:

• Character development training

• Substance abuse education/Early intervention

• Life skills training

• Art therapy

• Recreation therapy,including the mindfulness yoga

• Volunteer service opportunities

Designed to be experiential in nature, each day is filled with different approaches and activities to engage the youth and develop a therapeutic environment within the group setting. The purpose for the treatment approaches is to provide a variety of areas where these youth have been known to struggle, and to create an environment that allows the youth to transfer these skills to their personal lives. Volunteer service opportunities allow the youth to give back to the community. Weekly field trips are intended as a fun way to expose the youth to a variety of positive social activities available within Midland County.

Contact Beth Sorenson Prince

Beth Sorenson Prince, BAA, BS, CPS
Prevention Program Coordinator

email:esorenson@fcs-midland.org
phone: (989)631-5390 ext. 3314

Links

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
http://www.samhsa.gov/

Northern Michigan Substance Abuse Services
https://www.nmsas.net/

Parents. The Anti Drug.
http://www.theantidrug.com/

American Council for Drug Education Signs and Symptoms of Drug Use
http://www.acde.org/parent/signs.htm

Partnership for a Drug Free America:  Talking to Kids About Drugs
http://www.timetotalk.org/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc

National Drug Intelligence Center Prescription Drugs Fast Facts
http://www.justice.gov/ndic/pubs5/5140/index.htm

Informational Pamphlet from The Anti Drug:  “Suspect Your Teen Is Using Drugs or Drinking?”
http://www.theantidrug.com/pdfs/ei/parents_brochure.pdf

Time to Act:  How to Tell if Your Teen Is Using and Taking Action to Intervene
http://timetoact.drugfree.org/

Keeping Youth Mentally Healthy and Drug Free
http://family.samhsa.gov/

Office of National Drug Control Police Proper Disposal of Prescription Drugs
http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/pdf/prescrip_disposal.pdf

Midland Area Partnership for Drug Free Youth
http://midlandpartnership.org/