Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Use: Prevention and Intervention

The need for prevention and intervention efforts surrounding student alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) abuse is paramount to the goal of keeping our students safe, healthy, and in school. In support of these efforts, each district board of education is required to establish a comprehensive program of prevention, intervention, referral for evaluation, referral for treatment and continuity of care for student ATOD abuse (N.J.S.A. 18A:40A-10 and N.J.A.C. 6A:16-3, 6A:16-4 and 6A:16-6). Fostering an environment where students can develop protective factors and resiliency skills is essential in decreasing the prevalence and occurrence of student ATOD abuse and related at-risk behaviors. Provided below are resources that may be of assistance to families and educators.

Opioid Information for Parents and Student-Athletes

The following materials can be found on the Information for Student Athletes webpage under the Forms blue drop down menu:

Opioid Use and Misuse Educational Fact Sheet (Including Spanish and Accessible Text-only Versions)
Template Sign-off Forms (English and Spanish)

E-Cigarettes and Electronic Vaping

Scholastic — The Real Cost of Vaping: Lessons & Activities (Grades 6–12)
This is Quitting — A free and anonymous text program from the Truth Initiative designed to help young people (13–24) quit vaping
Know the Risks: E-Cigarettes and Young People
Vaping Guide for Parents

New Jersey Department of Health – Public Awareness Campaign

E-cigarette/Vaping Information for Parents, Teachers & Coaches

N.J.S.A. 18A:40A. Substance Abuse
The following codes can be found at N.J.A.C. 6A:16:
- N.J.A.C. 6A:16-3. Comprehensive Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drug Abuse Programs
- N.J.A.C. 6A: 16-4. Procedures for Alcohol & Other Substance Abuse Intervention
The following codes can be found at Title 6A - Current Rules
- N.J.A.C. 6A:16-4.4, Voluntary Policy for Random Testing of Student Alcohol or Other Drug Use
- N.J.A.C. 6A:16-5.3, Incident Reporting of Violence, Vandalism & Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse
- N.J.A.C. 6A:16-6. Law Enforcement Operations for Alcohol, Other Drugs, Weapons and Safety
- N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7, Student Conduct
- N.J.A.C. 6A:16-8, Intervention & Referral Services
- N.J.A.C. 6A:14-2.8 Discipline/suspension/expulsion (special education)
- N.J.A.C. 6A:32, School District Operations
Tobacco Control Laws
42 CFR Part 2—Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Patient Records
All References below can be found at the New Jersey Legislature's website or at Rutgers School of Law:
- N.J.S.A. 2C:35-1. Comprehensive Drug Reform Act of 1987
- N.J.S.A. 18A:38. Article 3. Compulsory Education

From 2005-2010, the NJDOE collaborated with the Center for Addiction Studies and Awareness at Rowan University to implement the New Jersey Social Norms Project that used established social psychological principles concerning the influence of group norms on individual behavior to achieve the following purposes:

Reduce harassment, intimidation and bullying behavior among students in participating New Jersey middle schools; and
Reduce the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs among students in participating New Jersey high schools.

Under the New Jersey Social Norms Project, student surveys were administered to determine actual norms regarding alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use and bullying, harassment, and intimidation behavior in participating schools, as appropriate. The data collected from the student surveys were used to determine the student norms of each school related to bullying or substance use, depending on grade levels. The confidential survey data were employed to create messages for promoting the positive norms of the school and implementing marketing campaigns to inform students, school staff, parents and other community members of these norms. The student survey was administered the following school year to determine the effects of the social norms campaign on changing the behaviors of students and for improving the program.

Implementing a social norms project could help districts fulfill their obligations for comprehensive alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse programs, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:40A-10 and N.J.A.C. 6A:16-3, and could be a strategy for preventing harassment, intimidation and bullying, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:37-17 et seq.

Social Norms 101: An Introduction to Theory and Research

Social Norms Overview

The New Jersey Social Norms Project: An Overview

Social Norms Project – Manual

Social Norms Project Report

If you see an alligator

Dont forget to scream By: Unknown Author

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