Adolescence is a unique and formative period. It is a crucial time for developing healthy habits for physical and mental well-being, including sleep, exercise, good nutrition, and productive strategies for coping with stress. Protective and supportive environments in the family, at school, and in the wider community are important influences on youth.

Adolescents face a variety of challenges as they navigate the transition from childhood into adulthood. Substance use and other risk-taking behaviors can be an attempt to cope with emotional difficulties and can have long-term impacts on a young person’s mental and physical well-being. There is a high prevalence of substance use among adolescents in Wisconsin and nationally. To add to the challenge, many adults view youth experimenting with alcohol and drugs as a “rite of passage” and a natural part of growing up. It doesn’t have to be that way.

Preventionists want to reduce youth substance use, but it can be hard to know where to start. This toolkit was developed as a resource for Extension educators, public health practitioners, and others working in the area of youth alcohol and other drug prevention. The toolkit emphasizes the importance of youth engagement in all phases of programming efforts, with all action steps branching out from this core commitment.

a group of adolescent girls in a huddle smiling and laughing

Whom We Serve

Local and Tribal Health Departments

Extension Educators

Local Youth

Youth serving organizations and agencies

How It Works

This toolkit has seven components, which don’t have to be used in order. Use this resource wherever you are in the program process.

Engage Youth

All action steps circle around this core action.

Define

Understand your audience and their unique needs.

Frame

Build the foundation for your approach.

Identify

Use local and national data in your planning process.

Train

Equip yourself with skills and strategies.

Strategize

Develop an action plan with evidence-based tools and resources.

Fund

Explore opportunities to support your local efforts.

Get Involved

Engage Youth

Youth play a key role in shaping prevention strategies. Learn more about effective strategies to meaningfully engage youth.

Explore the Toolkit

Dive into this information-rich toolkit and explore the robust resources and strategies to enhance your prevention work! Fill out the form to get immediate access to the toolkit.

Share Your Success Story

Your story can empower others, highlight what works, and help others improve their prevention efforts. Tell us how the toolkit helped you succeed – big or small; every story matters.