Pathways Prevention Services

Pathways' prevention services aim to prevent the underage use, or abuse, of alcohol, tobacco, other drugs.  Pathways offers a variety of programs and activities to assist communities, schools, workplaces, and organizations address substance abuse issues.

Community Coalitions

• Increasing community awareness of substance abuse issues
• Working to encourage positive substance use/ abuse policy changes both locally and state-wide
• Promoting positive activities for youth development and volunteerism
• Reducing youth access to substances such as tobacco and alcohol 
   

Prevention Education Programs

BABES  - This six- part series is an early education program that uses puppets to teach second grade students living skills that  help them make good decisions.  The intention is that these skills will remain with them throughout their lives.

 

Project Alert - Project ALERT is a  nationally recognized middle school substance abuse program that gives students insight, understanding, and actual skills for resisting substance abuse. Project ALERT successfully addresses tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, and inhalants, which are the substances most commonly used by teens.

 

Teens Against Tobacco Use (TATU) - TATU is a nationally recognized program that teaches teenagers to be advocates for a smoke-free America.  Teens are trained to make presentations to grade school students about the hazards of tobacco use. 

 

Keep a Clear Mind (KACM) - This is a take-home drug education program for upper elementary school students (8 to 12 years old) and their parents. The material consists of 4 weekly sets of activities to be completed by parents and their children together.  KACM lessons are based on a social skills training model and designed to help children develop specific skills to refuse and avoid the use of "gateway" drugs. This unique, early intervention program has been shown to positively influence known risk factors for later substance use. 

 

Strengthening Families - This is a seven week program for parents and youth ages 10-14 that utilizes both family sessions and narrated videos.  This program is meant to reduce adolescent substance abuse and other problems through sessions that are highly interactive and include role-playing, discussions, learning games, and family projects. This program was developed by Iowa State Extension.

 

PRIME for Life Parents Program - This program gives parents research-based information and skills to help reduce the likelihood that their child(ren) will experience substance abuse problems at any time in their lives.  The program focuses on alcohol, drugs, and prevention strategies parents can use when talking with their children.