Substance Use Prevention (SUP) Program in DPS

PREVENTION

Healthy Kids Colorado 2023 Survey data indicates that ~90% of middle schoolers and over 80% of high schoolers in DPS did not use substances in the past 30 days.  Most kids are not using substances! As a District, we know that prevention efforts are working to delay the onset of substance use for many students.  If you are interested in enhancing or bringing prevention efforts to your school, the DPS SUP team has a list of excellent prevention programs for elementary, middle and high school students. 

Colorado’s Attorney General recently launched a Fentanyl Awareness/Prevention Campaign called Connect Effect educating parents and youth.  All print materials are included in this google drive and can be printed by schools.  The SUP team has a limited number of posters and rack cards available, please email preventionservices@dpsk12.net to get some delivered for your school.

INTERVENTION
The Substance Use Prevention Program utilizes the Teen Intervene SBIRT program to provide education, support and guidance for teens using substances and their parents.  Teen Intervene is recommended as an alternative to suspension as detailed in this Intervention flowchart.  For Teen Intervene training and materials, please contact Haley_Figueroa@dpsk12.net

PARENT SUPPORT

The SUP team hosts a monthly parent webinar that focuses on a variety of prevention topics to help parents gain the knowledge and tools needed to support their children. Stanford REACH Lab’s Bonnie Halpern-Felsher will be speaking on 9/25/24 from 12-1pm about Youth Substance Use.  

Additionally, the SUP team is available to come to schools to provide parent presentations focused on substance use prevention. Reach out to Leah_Raffa@dpsk12.net for more information.