MARION – Centerstone, a nonprofit health system specializing in mental health and substance use disorder treatments, is expanding its Substance Use Prevention (SUP) program in southern Illinois.
The program has expanded to include 4th-5th grade students in Jackson and Williamson counties. Previously, Centerstone’s Substance Use Prevention program worked with 7th-10th grade students in the counties, providing alcohol, tobacco, and other drug prevention services.
“While we have experienced success in our program with 7th-10th graders, research has shown that children are experimenting with substances at earlier ages. We want to teach prevention as early as possible to abate this,” said Lara Shaw, Centerstone prevention specialist.
The goal of the 4th-5th grade component of the Substance Use Prevention program is to promote positive relationships and build communication, problem solving and resistance skills through youth prevention education.
Using lessons tailored to each student, Centerstone’s SUP team will use interactive activities to help students learn and apply the strategies and skills needed to prevent substance use.
Skills taught in the program include:
- Goal setting
- Making responsible decisions
- Bonding with others
- Identifying and managing emotions
- Effective communication techniques
- Managing mistakes and disappointment
- Resisting peer pressure
- Understanding peer influence
- Making healthy choices
“With a background in social work and education, I fell in love with my role in this program,” Shaw said. “I truly believe this program can deliver care that changes people’s lives.”
Centerstone’s SUP is funded in whole or in part by the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery through a grant from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services SAMHSA Administration.