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35th AM (2025) - Poster Session
Early Elementary School Substance Use Prevention C ...
Early Elementary School Substance Use Prevention Curriculum Gains in Knowledge Attutude and Perceptions about....
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Pdf Summary
This study evaluated the “Emily’s Hope” early elementary school substance use prevention curriculum, designed to promote knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions related to brain function, physical health, emotional regulation, and safety among kindergarten through 2nd grade students. Substance use often begins by middle school, and early intervention is critical to reducing later substance use disorders and associated health problems. Traditional prevention approaches using didactic or fear-based messages have limited long-term impact, so this curriculum emphasizes interactive, developmentally appropriate, and culturally relevant lessons incorporating videos, books, discussions, and group activities.<br /><br />The pilot study involved 662 students across 16 school districts in four Upper Midwest states. Each grade received tailored lessons: kindergarten focused on body, health, and emotions; 1st grade emphasized healthy habits, medication safety, and emotional regulation; 2nd grade taught coping skills, assertiveness, and decision-making ("Pause–Think–Act"). Pre- and post-curriculum surveys showed statistically significant improvements in knowledge at all grade levels. Kindergarten students improved mostly in brain function understanding, 1st graders showed large gains in healthy habits and emotional regulation, and 2nd graders advanced in consequential thinking and refusal skills.<br /><br />The findings demonstrate that age-appropriate curricula can enhance protective factors that buffer against early substance use risk, supporting resilience, coping, and decision-making skills foundational for future prevention. The program proved feasible and scalable in rural and small urban districts. Plans include expanding to more grades and states, including Uganda, refining the curriculum through elementary and into middle and high school levels, to sustain protective factors developmentally and reduce substance use risk across adolescence.<br /><br />Overall, this research highlights the effectiveness of early, school-based, interactive substance use prevention education that integrates social-emotional learning, offering a practical strategy to reduce early substance experimentation and its long-term consequences.
Keywords
Emily's Hope
early elementary prevention
substance use prevention
brain function education
emotional regulation
interactive curriculum
kindergarten to 2nd grade
health and safety education
social-emotional learning
decision-making skills
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