WHITE PLAINS, NY – Dr. Gilbert J. Botvin, internationally known expert in the field of prevention and developer of the highly acclaimed LifeSkills Training (LST) substance abuse and violence prevention program, was an invited speaker at the 2018 Blueprints for Healthy Youth Conference on May 1st in Denver, Colorado. Dr. Botvin’s presentation, “LifeSkills Training: Preventing the Misuse of Opioids and Other Drugs,” described the LST approach and the underlying theory of this positive youth development approach to substance abuse prevention.

The Blueprints Conference is hosted by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence (CSPV) at the Institute of Behavior Science, University of Colorado Boulder, and brings together researchers, program designers, community leaders and advocates, policy-makers, practitioners, and funders to learn about evidence-based youth development programs.

Community advocates attended the session: Kate Porter, Nicole Devine, Gilbert J. Botvin, Rebecca Mull, Bill McKinney

Dr. Botvin summarized the researched evidence documenting the effectiveness of LST for preventing tobacco use, underage drinking, and illicit drug use, as well as those the data demonstrating that LST can prevent prescription drug abuse and teen opioid misuse. Dr. Botvin was joined at the presentation by Alayne MacArthur, lead trainer for LST, and Craig Zettle, Vice President at NHPA. They outlined strategies from the new LST Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention module and addressed critical issues related to the long-term sustainability of implementing prevention programs that are tested and proven effective.“To combat the opioid crisis, it’s vitally important that policy-makers and decision-makers promote the use of the most effective and scientifically proven prevention programs and policies,” said Dr. Botvin, founder and president of National Health Promotion Associates (NHPA), and Professor Emeritus at Cornell University’s Weill Cornell Medical College.  “The Blueprints initiative has a tremendous impact on the prevention field because it gives decision-makers the tools necessary to identify the most effective programs.”

Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development provides a registry of evidence-based positive youth development programs designed to promote the health and well-being of children and teens. Of the more than 1,400 programs that have been reviewed, less than 5% have been designated as model and promising programs. As a Blueprints certified “model plus” prevention program, LST meets their highest standard in its capacity to change behavior and developmental outcomes. In addition to preventing violence and delinquency, studies consistently show that the LST program dramatically reduces the use of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, methamphetamines, opioids, and other illicit drugs. The LST program is effective with a diverse range of adolescents and can be taught by teachers, peer leaders, or health professionals.

About Botvin LifeSkills Training      

Botvin LifeSkills Training (LST) is an evidence-based substance abuse and violence prevention program. LST has been extensively tested and proven to reduce tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use by as much as 80%. Long-term follow-up studies show that it produces prevention effects that are durable and long-lasting. Visit www.lifeskillstraining.com for more information.

Contact:

Paulina Kalaj

Director, Communications & Media Relations

1-800-293-4969 ext. 214 | pkalaj@nhpamail.com