Schools can be a major player in both preventing student substance, or drug use, and helping students who are battling drug addiction.

Prevention efforts must include regular education campaigns along with opportunities for students to cultivate their personal strengths, interests, and hobbies. Schools must also construct and maintain a system through which at-risk students can be referred to appropriate outside resources.

This What Works Brief, cowritten by Meagan O'Malley, former Research Associate at WestEd, offers schools strategies for handling drug use at school, including how to:

• Build awareness and knowledge


• Bolster positive youth development


• Encourage parent and community involvement

The Brief also provides a list of evidence-based programs and therapeutic practices that may be available in local communities.

Note: Developed by the California Safe and Supportive Schools (S3) Technical Assistance Center, What Works Briefs summarize state-of-the-art practices, strategies, and programs for improving school climate.

Based on the most current research, each of the ten briefs provides practical recommendations for school staff, parents, and community members and can be used separately to target specific issues (e.g., family engagement) or grouped together to address more complex, systemwide issues.

What Works Briefs are organized into three sections:

• Quick Wins: What Teachers and Adults Can Do Right Now


• Universal Supports: Schoolwide Policies, Practices, and Programs


• Targeted Supports: Intensive Supports for At-Risk Youth