Program Overview

Today’s teens face many choices. What should I wear to school? Who can I take to the dance? What kind of music is cool? Some choices can have serious consequences: Should I use tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs? What will my friends say if I don’t? What will they say if I do?

Adolescents will learn about the use and abuse of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs (TAOD) in the Power of Choice program. With this information, students can make informed, powerful and independent choices.

Overall health issues associated with substance abuse will be addressed. Students will learn about:

• Reasons people choose to use or not use substances
• Healthy alternatives to TAOD
• Long-term consequences of use as seen in healthy and diseased organs
• Resources to assess addiction and access help if necessary

Developed for students in grades 5-12, the course includes four, one-hour interactive sessions. Power of Choice results will be measured by pre- and post-testing.

BJC School Outreach programs are designed to meet Missouri Grade Level Expectations (GLE) and Illinois Learning Standards (ILS). Trained health professionals teach students through interactive learning. Pre- and post-tests and evaluations are analyzed with IBM SPSS statistical software. Comprehensive program report and narrative are provided.