Program Recognition

Exemplary Program
U.S. Department of Education

Top Tier
Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy

Model Program                                                                              
Center for Substance Abuse Prevention
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
White House Office of National Drug Control Policy

Programs That Work
National Institute on Drug Abuse

Program Overview
The Botvin LifeSkills Training Middle School program is a groundbreaking substance abuse and violence prevention program based on more than 25 years of rigorous scientific research and is one of the most effective evidence-based programs used in schools today. In addition to helping kids resist drug, alcohol, and tobacco use, the LifeSkills Training Middle School program also effectively helps to reduce violence and other high-risk behaviors.

Program Learning Objectives

• Personal Self-Management Skills
  Provides students with skills for enhancing self-esteem, learning creative problem solving, reducing stress and anxiety, and managing anger.
  
  
• General Social Skills
  Empowers students with skills to meet personal challenges such as overcoming shyness, communicating clearly, building relationships, and avoiding violence.
  
  
• Drug Resistance Skills
  Enables students to build defenses against pressures to use tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs.

Program Structure

• Grades 6-9
  
  
• Three level program consisting of 30 class sessions
   - Level 1 (Grades 6/7): Core Level- 15 class sessions 
     includes 3 optional violence lessons
  
   - Level 2 (Grades 7/8): Booster Level- 10 class sessions 
     includes 2 optional violence lessons
   
  - Level 3 (Grades 8/9) - Booster Level -  5 class sessions   
     includes 2 optional violence lessons
  
  
• 30-45 minute class sessions
  
  
• Taught either on an intensive schedule (consecutively every day, or two to three times a week) until the program is complete, or on a more extended schedule (once a week)

Program Components

Each level includes the following materials:

• Comprehensive, easy-to-use teacher’s manuals
  
• Student guides
  
• Smoking & Biofeedback DVD
• Stress Management Techniques CD