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Substance Use Prevention in Illinois Schools: Keeping Our Students Safe and Healthy



Substance use prevention is a critical component of ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of students across the United States. In Illinois, the Department of Human Services has the Substance Use Prevention Services (SUPS) grant. The grant provides funding for community and school-based programs to help decrease youth alcohol and other substance misuse. Schools in Illinois are increasingly recognizing the importance of early intervention and prevention programs to help students avoid substance use and its negative consequences. With the growing challenges posed by alcohol, marijuana, vaping, and prescription drug abuse, Illinois schools are proactively taking steps to provide students with the tools and resources they need to make healthy choices.


The Importance of Substance Use Prevention

Substance use can profoundly affect young people's physical, emotional, and social development. Research shows that the earlier young people are exposed to substances, the more likely they are to develop long-term patterns of use that can affect their academic performance, mental health, and overall well-being. Prevention programs are crucial to reducing these risks and creating a safe and supportive environment for students.

In Illinois, substance use prevention (SUP) initiatives aim to educate students, equip educators, and engage communities to tackle substance use before it starts. The state is home to various evidence-based programs and resources that help schools identify, prevent, and intervene when students face the dangers of substance use.


How Illinois Schools Approach Prevention

SUPS providers work with schools to implement various strategies to prevent substance use among students. These strategies often include a combination of education, skill-building, and awareness campaigns designed to help students recognize the risks of substance use and make informed choices. Below are some of the key elements of Illinois' approach:

  1. Youth Prevention Education: Prevention providers use age-appropriate, evidence-based curricula to teach students about the dangers of substance use and the importance of making healthy choices. Programs like Too Good for Drugs and Life Skills Training have been widely adopted across the state, helping students build the social and emotional skills they need to resist peer pressure and stay substance-free.

  2. Youth Advisory Committee: Youth advisory committees are established to engage students in preventing substance use among their peers. These student-led programs allow students to lead by example, create awareness campaigns, and advocate for healthy, drug-free lifestyles within their school community.

  3. Communication and National Awareness Campaigns: Communication campaigns utilize a purposeful promotional strategy to change knowledge, attitudes, and/or behavior in the school community via marketing and advertising techniques.

    In May of each year, schools and communities can participate in National Prevention Week. National Prevention Week is a public education platform showcasing the work of communities and organizations across the country that are preventing substance use and promoting positive mental health.

  4. Community Partnerships: Collaboration with local organizations and prevention providers is essential for expanding the reach of substance use prevention programs. Illinois has a network of prevention organizations that work closely with schools, providing staff training, student resources, and ongoing support for parents. Schools can implement a more holistic approach to substance use prevention by partnering with these organizations.

  5. Illinois Youth Survey (IYS) Promotion: Every two years, schools throughout the state have the opportunity to participate in the Illinois Youth Survey (IYS) for 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students. The IYS provides schools and local health agencies with current student data to understand youth attitudes and behaviors that can impact social problems and academic success. The survey covers a variety of topics, including bullying, physical activity, nutrition, substance use/misuse, perceptions of school climate, and mental health. Schools can use the IYS data to help plan prevention programming to help reduce youth alcohol and drug misuse and also for grant funding opportunities. The schools can share the IYS data with local coalitions and other stakeholders to encourage and support collaborative efforts. 


The Prevention Provider Directory available through Prevention.org is an excellent tool for finding local prevention programs and professionals who can assist schools in their efforts to prevent substance use.

You can find more about local providers through this comprehensive Prevention Provider Directory.


Moving Forward: Building a Culture of Prevention

Preventing substance use in Illinois schools is ongoing and requires the cooperation of students, educators, families, and community organizations. As substance use trends evolve, Illinois schools continue to adapt by incorporating the latest research and best practices into their prevention efforts. By creating supportive environments, offering education and resources, and collaborating with the broader community, Illinois schools are helping students grow into healthy, responsible adults who can make informed decisions for their futures.


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Email rsupic4@fgcinc.org for more information on the integration of substance use prevention into your youth-serving programs.

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“Funded in whole or in part by the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery through a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.”

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