Substance Abuse Prevention.

The approach and philosophy of the Positive Action program support the prevention, intervention, and treatment of substance abuse, including alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, methamphetamines, opiates, stimulants, steroids, hallucinogens, inhalants, and prescription drugs. The Positive Action approach helps individuals become aware of the negative consequences of using substances.

Positive Action teaches students a basic philosophy about the value of positive actions and the consequences of the negative action of substance use. Instead of scare tactics, short-term strategies, or information-only approaches, the Positive Action program teaches students daily how and why they can be strong and live without drugs.

The Positive Action philosophy explains that the good feeling we all want about ourselves (a positive self-concept) is developed only by doing positive actions. They can apply this philosophy in any given situation, including those in which they may be pressured to drink, smoke, or use drugs.

Educators can teach Positive Action with confidence because researchers have found that this program reduces substance use in general, as well as use of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs. The analysis from two randomized trials has been featured in three peer-reviewed journal articles.