Project TND ( Towards No Drug Abuse)
Project Toward No Drug Use (Project TND) is a 12-lesson alcohol, drug and tobacco prevention curriculum presented to all 9th graders in their health classes.
This school-based program:
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teaches skills, such as healthy coping and self control
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educates students about myths and misleading information that encourage substance use and motivates change
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warns of chemical ependency and other negative consequences, and
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provides cessation strategies for those already using drugs.
Finally, it encourages youth to use positive decision-making skills, to continue to discuss substance abuse with peers, and to commit to not using substances.
Program Components
Project TND aims to prevent tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use and to help students
make healthy, informed choices in their lives. It is taught through twelve 40 to 50-minute
lessons and focuses on the following three areas:
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Motivational factors: The lessons address students'attitudes, beliefs, expectations, and desires regarding drug use. This program also addresses student’s cognitive misperceptions around drug use. Often, teens receive misinformation about drugs from a variety of sources. Classroom lessons allow students to discuss their ideas, and it gives teachers an opportunity to provide students with more accurate information and correct any myths. This includes lessons on the adverse physical, mental and emotional consequences of drug use for the user.
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Skills (social, self-control, and coping skills); When teens use drugs, it is often to cope with problems, to fit in with their peers, or because they lack appropriate self control skills. Several lessons aim to provide students with healthier coping, communication, and self control skills so that they do not resort to substance use and abuse.
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Decision-making: Students learn how to make decisions that lead to health-promoting behaviors.