Comprehensive Substance Use Education Workshop for High School Caregivers
Session Number
MEDH 02
Advisor(s)
Dr. Faith Summersett-Williams, Kennedy Curtis, I+HEAL LAB,
Discipline
Medical and Health Sciences
Start Date
17-4-2025 10:30 AM
End Date
17-4-2025 10:45 AM
Abstract
Public perceptions of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) are evolving, with teen AOD use rising in the U.S. About 75% of high school students have engaged in AOD use (Teen Substance, 2011). To address this, harm reduction offers a community-driven approach prioritizing safety, health, and dignity. Unlike abstinence-only models, harm reduction minimizes negative consequences by providing practical strategies and direct engagement with adolescents (Streimann, 2017). We facilitated 11 harm-reduction workshops for caregivers of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students. Schools can request workshops through CPS or by contacting I+HEAL Lab. Sessions, available in English and Spanish, cover reasons for adolescent substance use, common drugs, harm reduction vs. abstinence, and caregiver communication strategies. A pre-and post-workshop questionnaire measured knowledge changes, with 50 pre- and 29 post-assessments completed. These workshops equip caregivers and educators to support students with comprehensive, identity-conscious substance use education, fostering healthier school communities.
Comprehensive Substance Use Education Workshop for High School Caregivers
Public perceptions of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) are evolving, with teen AOD use rising in the U.S. About 75% of high school students have engaged in AOD use (Teen Substance, 2011). To address this, harm reduction offers a community-driven approach prioritizing safety, health, and dignity. Unlike abstinence-only models, harm reduction minimizes negative consequences by providing practical strategies and direct engagement with adolescents (Streimann, 2017). We facilitated 11 harm-reduction workshops for caregivers of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students. Schools can request workshops through CPS or by contacting I+HEAL Lab. Sessions, available in English and Spanish, cover reasons for adolescent substance use, common drugs, harm reduction vs. abstinence, and caregiver communication strategies. A pre-and post-workshop questionnaire measured knowledge changes, with 50 pre- and 29 post-assessments completed. These workshops equip caregivers and educators to support students with comprehensive, identity-conscious substance use education, fostering healthier school communities.