"A program to train high school students to promote choices and decision-making about alcohol and other drugs with their younger peers"

Parent Action on Drugs has successfully implemented peer education programs throughout Ontario for more than 15 years. With these programs thousands of high school students have had a positive experience providing thousands more younger students with the benefits of their insights and information about alcohol and other drugs. With recent increases in student drug use, and curriculum requirements for substance use/abuse education, effective approaches to drug education have become essential. PAD's current peer education program, CBC: Challenges, Beliefs and Changes, is a unique model designed to make maximum use of a range of high school students with diverse experiences.

It is a multi-faceted program that allows the younger students to benefit from the experiences and information provided by the older students, but understand that it is their responsibility to make their own choices. In this program, high school peer leaders offer to the students in grade eight or nine

• the opportunity to encounter senior peers who have experienced social changes similar to those facing the younger teenagers;
• small group problem-solving activities based on profiles of teen characters introduced through a video or dramatic presentation;
• active discussions and fun activities which encourage reflection on teenage motives for smoking, drinking and the use of other gateway drugs;
• a chance to compare what the younger teens expect of high school social life and friendships with the real experiences of the leaders.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

There are now two program options

• CBC "8" is a program offered to students in grade 8, supporting the curriculum requirements in the grade 8 program
• CBC "9" is a program offered to students in grade 9, supporting the curriculum requirements in the grade 9 program

Trained high school peer leaders work in teams with small groups of the grade eight or nine students, providing three structured sessions that are 60-85 minutes in length.

PEER LEADER TRAINING

• The training program focuses on leadership and group management techniques, communication and refusal skills, personal attitudes clarification, and information about tobacco, alcohol, marijuana and other drugs.
• Peer leaders report that the training program is interesting and enjoyable, advances their self-awareness and knowledge of drugs, and prepares them for their challenging task.
• A comprehensive manual is given to each peer leader.

CURRICULUM APPLICATIONS

Supports the Ontario Curriculum in

• application to the goals of Choices Into Action
• leadership and Peer Support, Grade 11 open
• health and Physical Education, Healthy Living, Substance Use and Abuse Grade 8
• religious Education, Grade 9 open, Catholic

WHAT IS REQUIRED FROM THE HIGH SCHOOLS

• selection of peer leaders
• co-ordination of training event and arranging the peer-led instruction
• liaison with the grade eight or nine teachers

EVALUATION

An evaluation study of CBC found the program proved effective in increasing knowledge, correcting misconceptions about high school drug use and increasing resistance skills amongst the younger students.

IMPLEMENTATION OPTIONS

• Experienced PAD trainers provide an intensive two-day training workshop for peer leaders.
• Student volunteers can be selected as peer leaders or selection can occur in conjunction with other peer programs (mediation, mentoring, etc.).
• The CBC Peer education program can be incorporated into an existing curriculum program such as credit peer helping courses (GPP30).

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