Communities and Schools Promoting Health

A Gateway to information on comprehensive school health (CSH) and health promoting schools (HPS)
Providing links to research, reports, how-to manuals, planning & assessment tools, lesson plans and student webquests

     

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Preventing Alcohol/Drug Abuse and Other Addictions Through and With Schools
 

 

 

bullet Prevalence, Nature of Substance Abuse Problems in Youth
 
bullet Comprehensive Approaches to School-based or School-linked Prevention
 
bullet Coordinated School-Agency-Community Programs
 
bullet Whole School Strategies
 
bullet Agency and School Policies
 
bullet Instructional Programs
 
bullet Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Services
 
bullet Social Support From Parents, Youth and the Community
 
bullet Changes to Physical Environment and Practical Resources
 
bullet Building Capacity in Schools, Professionals, Agencies, Communities, Governments
 
bullet Making Change Happen in Open, Loosely-coupled Bureaucratic Systems

 


This page introduces several of the resources on and linked to this web site that will help schools to work with their communities, other agencies and parents to prevent substance abuse and other additions. The strategies and programs suggested here are derived from research evidence and practical experience. The suggested frame of reference for considering these specific interventions is a comprehensive approach (linking substance abuse with similar problems, addressing the needs of the whole child, mobilizing multiple levels within several systems) that identifies, delivers and coordinates several school health programs that create and maintain a health -promoting schools and neighbourhood environment.

Please examine and use these resources that have been produced with funds from Health Canada, the Health & Learning Knowledge Centre of the Canadian Council on Learning, the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse and other organizations:

bullet Knowledge-Summary, Selected Research/Reports and Research Agenda
A substantive review of substance use and abuse in young people and effective approaches that can be taken by schools in partnership with other agencies, communities, parents and youth organizations is provided here in a Knowledge Summary. Also attached to this page is a list of selected research reviews, landmark case studies and key reports with convenient web links for rapid access. As well, this section includes a research agenda developed through a consultation with experts, officials and practitioners that identifies issues requiring further study.

 
bullet Tools/Checklists/Assessment/Planning Guides
This page introduces several school and other self-assessment tools as well as planning guides for educators, public health staff, police and addictions workers.
 
bullet Instructional Programs and Lesson Plans
This section contains hundreds of lesson plans from a variety of sources. As well, several instructional programs that are widely-used in Canada are described. See the links to lessons and learning activities on substance abuse.

 
bullet Webquests
There are several web-based students projects that can be used for individual student or group projects. Several of these webquests address substance abuse directly.
 
bullet Policy Advice and Tools
This wiki includes strategic and practical advice on policy-making by health authorities, police services, schools and other sectors as well as samples of such policies.
 
bullet Webinars
Learn more about several web-based presentations and related materials prepared for staff development sessions. Technology now permits you to see and hear digital recordings of the webinars through your computer. See Archived Webinars.
 
bullet Canadian Community of Practice, Toolbox Wiki and Blog
Educators, public health, police services, university-based experts and others at the local level agency, provincial/territorial and national level have joined together in a Community of Practice (COP) that is supported by a tool-box wiki that lists programs suggested by the COP members and other sources and also includes a blog of the latest news, events and research.
 
bullet International Wiki Dialogue on Effective School-based Prevention
Drawing on Canadian and international sources, this Wikipedia style collection of pages is under preparation by experts from around the world. Read, comment or help to prepare a page on a topic based on your experience or expertise.
 
bullet National Surveys of School, Agency, Ministry Prevention Capacity
This section will present and discuss the results of two national surveys that report on school, health/addiction clinics, school board, police department, health authority and government ministries' capacity to promote, implement and evaluate evidence-based programs, policies and practices. An 2004 analysis of health and education ministry capacity is included in this section.
 
bullet Environment Scans and Other Reports
A series of Canadian provincial/territorial environment scans and other reports on progress are included.
 
bullet Canada's School Health Facebook. (Professional/Agency Networking Site and Blog)
Visit and join our innovative, online professional/agency network that includes profiles and updates on local school boards, agencies and professionals working to promote health and social development through schools. Stay up-to-date by visiting or receiving the weekly SH Blog.

 

 

National Initiatives in Substance Abuse Prevention

CASH Substance Abuse Project 2006-09

CCSA National Youth Project 2007-2012

RCMP Youth Drug Awareness

Canadian Mental Health Commission

SHRN School Prevention Research Agenda Project 2004

SHRN Lilterature Review: School, Public Health & Drugs 2005

Key Resources
 
bullet Preventing Substance Use Problems Among Youth: A Compendium of Best Practices (Health Canada, 2001)
 
bullet CASH Knowledge Summary
Prepared by a team of experts for the Canadian Association for School Health. This summary addresses many aspects of a comprehensive approach to school-based prevention.