Category Archives: Press Releases

WHITE PLAINS, NY – Dr. Gilbert J. Botvin, internationally known expert in the field of prevention, delivered the keynote address at Utah Fall Substance Abuse conference on September 20th, in St. George. Dr. Botvin is the developer of the highly acclaimed LifeSkills Training (LST) evidence-based substance abuse and violence prevention program. More than 1,200 psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, substance abuse / mental health professionals, law enforcement, and educational staff gathered for the educational and networking event in the Mountain West sponsored by the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health.

Dr. Botvin‘s keynote address described advances in prevention science over the past 35 years and the development of effective prevention approaches, with a focus on the LST approach. The main goals of the LST program are to teach students prevention-related information, promote anti-drug norms, teach drug refusal skills, and foster the development of personal self-management skills and general social skills. Dr. Botvin described LST and the theory supporting it, as well as evidence from over 35 peer-reviewed publications documenting its effectiveness. The program has been proven to cut tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use in half and shown to produce prevention effects that can last 12 years or more. It can also prevent aggression and violence, delinquency, risky driving, and HIV/AIDS risk behaviors. In addition, independent researchers have demonstrated the LST can also shield adolescents from the misuse of opioid and other prescription drugs.

According to Dr. Botvin, “The opioid crisis has created a new sense of urgency in the prevention field. To help combat this epidemic, under two federally funded studies we are testing novel prevention approaches that include online e-learning programs for middle school and high school students that are designed to further strengthen the impact of LST on the prevention of opioid and prescription drug misuse.”

Dr. Botvin is also the founder and president of National Health Promotion Associates (NHPA) and Professor Emeritus at Cornell University’s Weill Medical College. He noted that a breadth of research has led to the development of LST and a growing number of prevention approaches that have been tested and proven effective in combating a variety of behavioral health problems. Yet despite the availability of effective prevention programs, many schools still turn to the ineffective or untested programs that use scare tactics or “just say no” messages. Dr. Botvin urged conference attendees to work to replace ineffective programs with ones proven to work.

“Thirty-five years of research have given us effective prevention approaches,” Dr. Botvin said. “We have the tools to prevent substance abuse and other behavioral health problems. We just have to use them.”

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

WHITE PLAINS, NY – If the saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is correct, then an ounce of LST is actually worth 45 pounds of cure according to a new report by the Promote Prevent Commission, an interdisciplinary group of leaders in behavioral health, prevention, and public health in Massachusetts. The report, formally titled the Behavioral Health Promotion and Upstream Prevention, serves as a behavioral health road map for what works in prevention, how to better fund what’s working, and what can be achieved by funding what’s working.

The Promote Prevent Commission partnered with the Pew-MacArthur Foundation Results First Initiative to help determine which government-funded programs have research evidence of improving outcomes for youth and families. Of the universal prevention programs analyzed, the Botvin LifeSkills Training program had the highest cost-benefit ratio as well as evidence rating. For every dollar invested in the LST program, this study found that communities can reap a benefit of $45 in terms of avoided long-term costs of health care utilization and crime due to substance use disorder, as well as wage loss from disrupted employment.

​​​​“Nearly 40 years of rigorous scientific study prove that evidence-based programs can prevent substance abuse and misuse, violence, and other risky behaviors,” said Dr. Gilbert J. Botvin, Professor Emeritus at Cornell University’s Weill Medical College and developer of the LifeSkills Training (LST) program. “Investing in programs that are proven to work will ensure that the limited funds available for prevention actually help the people they are intended to help.”

LST is a highly acclaimed, evidence-based substance abuse and violence prevention program that has been used in schools and communities throughout the US and in 39 countries around the world. More than 35 studies published in scientific peer-reviewed journals show that the program is effective, produces lasting results, and can clearly save taxpayers a good deal of money. A study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse found the LST program also lowers opioid misuse.

The Commission released its final report and recommendations in April 2018 and found that despite the evidence, key state agencies are spending less than 1% on prevention. The report highlights that not all prevention programs and practices are created equal, as well as the importance of investing the Commonwealth’s limited resources into prevention programs such as LST that have been proven to work.

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

Congratulations to National Health Promotion Associates’ Christopher Williams, Ph.D. who received a certificate of completion with honors from Harvard Medical School’s Global Clinical Scholars Research Training Program.

The year-long program provides researchers and clinicians with advanced training in the conduct of clinical trials with emphasis in biostatistics and epidemiology. The program draws scholars from around the globe and encourages collaboration to address critical public health concerns. Through a blended learning approach including traditional face-to-face teaching sessions, online lecture supported by interactive webinars, and team and individual assignments, scholars are trained in statistical analysis and the design of clinical trials.

When Dr. Williams was asked to reflect on completing the training, he replied, “The program was rigorous and intellectually stimulating.  I was most impressed by the drive and passion of Harvard faculty and my fellow scholars.  Regardless of previous training or specialty, everyone has the same goal of improving health outcomes, and reducing disease burden through evidence-based research and practice.”

Dr. Williams is Senior Vice President at NHPA, the training and development firm for the Botvin LifeSkills Training program, a college lecturer, and serves as principal investigator on National Institutes of Health-funded trials.

About National Health Promotion Associates

Established in 1985, National Health Promotion Associates (NHPA) is a dynamic health and wellness firm located in White Plains, New York. Dedicated to promoting behavioral health, NHPA focuses on developing, evaluating, and providing training to educators and health professionals on a range of health and wellness programs. An area of particular interest relates to the prevention of health risk behaviors among adolescents and young adults, including substance abuse, violence, bullying, and sexual violence. For more information visit: www.lifeskillstraining.com.

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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

WHITE PLAINS, NY – The Botvin LifeSkills Training (LST) program was featured at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) recent 14th Annual Prevention Day on February 5, 2018. This annual event was held in conjunction with the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America’s (CADCA’s) 28th National Leadership Forum at National Harbor, MD.

LST was featured in a 90-minute Institute attended by prevention practitioners, community leaders, and behavioral health professionals gathered to hear from internationally known prevention expert Dr. Gilbert J. Botvin, developer of the LifeSkills Training (LST) program, founder and president of National Health Promotion Associates, and Professor Emeritus at Cornell University’s Weill Cornell Medical College. LST is a highly acclaimed, evidence-based substance abuse and violence prevention program that has been used in schools and communities throughout the US and in 39 countries around the world. Over 30 studies published in scientific journal show that LST can cut adolescent tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use by as much 80%.

Dr. Botvin described the LST approach and the underlying theory of this positive youth development approach to substance abuse prevention. He also summarized the research evidence documenting the effectiveness of LST for preventing tobacco use, underage drinking, and illicit drug use. Among the most exciting research findings were those showing that LST can prevent prescription drug abuse and teen opioid misuse. Further strengthening the potential impact of LST to prevent opioid misuse is a new opioid and prescription drug abuse prevention module available either online as an e-learning program or as a classroom program in print form.

Dr. Botvin was joined at the morning Institute by community prevention leaders who described the success of LST implementation in their communities and included Ronna Yablonski, Executive Director of Cambria County (PA) Drug Coalition and Kat Allen, Coalition Coordinator of CTC Partnership for Youth, a Program of the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (MA). Rounding out the Institute was Craig Zettle, Vice President at NHPA, who addressed critical issues related to long-term sustainability of implementing prevention programs that have been tested and proven effective.

Those attending learned the theory underlying LST, as well as evidence of its effectiveness. Speakers also covered important dissemination issues regarding the adoption, implementation, and sustainability in schools, family, and community settings.

“We’ve come a long way in the field of prevention, and now it’s really about a risk-focused approach. In fact, the LST program has been tested through 35 years of rigorous scientific research that identified these approaches as effective, producing lasting results, and with the potential to save taxpayers a good deal of money,” said Dr. Botvin. “Let’s stop drug abuse before it begins. Now is truly the time to unleash the power of prevention.”

The LifeSkills Training program has been extensively tested and proven effective at reducing tobacco, alcohol, opioid, and illicit drug use by as much as 80%. Long-term follow-up studies also show that it produces prevention effects that are durable and long-lasting.

CADCA’s National Leadership Forum is the largest training event for the prevention field. Attendees learn strategies to address substance abuse and hear from prevention experts, federal administrators, and concerned policymakers. The Forum brings together attendees representing coalitions from all regions of the country and internationally, government leaders, youth, prevention specialists, addiction treatment professionals, addiction recovery advocates, researchers, educators, law enforcement professionals, and faith-based leaders.

New York, NY (November 17, 2001) — The LifeSkills Training program was recently featured as an exemplary drug abuse prevention program at a conference involving drug experts from the United States and Mexico. Christopher Williams, Ph.D., Vice President of National Health Promotion Associates, the training and development firm for the LST program, described new evidence for the effectiveness of the LST program and current initiatives to disseminate LST throughout the U.S. In addition to reducing tobacco and marijuana use by as much as 87%, newly published findings show that LST can cut binge drinking by over 50%.

The conference, held in Mexico City, was the Fourth U.S.-Mexico Bi-National Drug Demand Reduction Conference and was sponsored by the Executive Office of the President, Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). Policy makers, government officials, researchers, community leaders, educators, and health professionals were invited on behalf of the United States and Mexican governments. The conference included bi-national research symposia; sessions linking public health and public safety; and extensive training on treatment, prevention and education, and public awareness. A main objective of the conference was to identify effective prevention approaches and focus on identifying ways to strengthen collaboration between the US and Mexico. Dr. Williams and other speakers at the conference emphasized the importance of using science-based prevention programs. According to Dr. Williams, “The growing body of research clearly indicates that prevention is a viable solution to the drug and alcohol use problem.” He went on to say, “We have known for some time now what works in prevention. Today we need to concentrate our efforts on making sure research is moved into practice and that we share culturally appropriate programs with our Mexican neighbors.”

Dr. Williams said that he is looking forward to the exchange of ideas between U.S. and Mexican officials. He commented, “We all know that it is essential for people to receive treatment if they are having a substance use problem, but we must also acknowledge that treatment is often very expensive with only limited evidence of success.”

The presence of Mexico’s President Fox and First Lady Marta Fox underscored the importance and commitment that Mexico is placing on the problem of drug use. The night before the final sessions were held, President Fox, along with Minister of Health, Julio Frenk Mora, M.D., hosted a dinner at El Palacio de La Escuela de Medicina, North America’s very first medical school. In his opening remarks, the President congratulated his nearly 300 specially invited dinner guests and encouraged them to continue their efforts to reduce the use of drugs and alcohol in both countries.

Contact:
Paulina Kalaj
Director, Communications & Media Relations
National Health Promotion Associates
pkalaj@nhpamail.com
800-293-4969

WHITE PLAINS, NY – Earlier this month, the U.S. Surgeon General released a new report on the addiction epidemic in this country asking communities to focus on evidence-based prevention. The report titled Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health named the Botvin LifeSkills Training (LST) program as an effective prevention program for adolescents aged 10 to 18.

The Surgeon General’s Office reviewed nearly 600 programs and cited only 42 programs as evidence-based, that is – proven scientifically effective. LifeSkills Training was highlighted as one of three of the most effective school-based program for kids ages 10-18.

According to the report, effective prevention programs can delay early use, stop the progression to addiction, and avoid the need for treatment. After an extensive review of published research studies, the Surgeon General identified LST as a prevention program that successfully reduces the number of people who start using alcohol or drugs.  “One well-researched and widely used program is LifeSkills Training, a school-based program delivered over 3 years. Research has shown that this training delayed early use of alcohol, tobacco, and other substances…”

Over 30 years of rigorous research show LST as a method for preventing multiple problems—such as alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug abuse, as well as delinquency and violence—using a single prevention program.  The centerpiece of the LST strategy is a curriculum designed to be taught by classroom teachers, health educators, prevention specialists, or student peer leaders.

“We know that effective prevention programs can produce a powerful public health benefit by reducing tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use. But this report also shows that evidence-based programs are highly underutilized,” said Dr. Gilbert J. Botvin, professor emeritus at Cornell University’s Weill Medical College and developer of the LST program. “Increased attention must be given to promoting the use of programs that work. A relatively small upfront investment in a proven prevention program such as LST can yield tremendous health and economic benefits.”

About Botvin LifeSkills Training      

Botvin LifeSkills Training (LST) is a highly acclaimed, 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.

WHITE PLAINS, NY – Dr. Gilbert J. Botvin delivered the keynote address at the 2^nd International Congress of Clinical and Health Psychology on Children and Adolescents on November 17, 2016, in Barcelona. More than 700 participants from 50 countries gathered for the scientific meeting hosted by AITANA, a research group from the Department of Health Psychology at Miguel Hernández University in Elche, Spain.

Clinical and health psychologists from all over the world learned what makes the Botvin LifeSkills Training(LST) program the top-rated prevention program in the United States.  Dr. Botvin, professor emeritus at Cornell University’s Weill Medical College, is an internationally renowned prevention expert and developer of the highly acclaimed LST substance abuse and violence prevention program.

In his keynote, Dr. Botvin described the LST prevention approach, explained its theory, and summarized over 30 years of rigorous research documenting its effectiveness. He also discussed the unique benefits of LST as a method for preventing multiple problems—such as alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug abuse, as well as opioid misuse, violence, and delinquency—using a single prevention approach.  The centerpiece of the LST strategy is a curriculum designed to be taught by classroom teachers, health educators, prevention specialists, or student peer leaders.

“It was a great honor and privilege to visit Barcelona and participate in a conference committed to improving the health and well-being of the world youth,” said Dr. Botvin. “I also want to commend AITANA for their support of the conference and dedication to life skills education.”

About Botvin LifeSkills Training      

Botvin LifeSkills Training (LST) is a highly acclaimed, evidence-based substance abuse and violence prevention program used in schools and communities throughout the world. 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 also show that it produces prevention effects that are durable and long-lasting. Visit www.lifeskillstraining.com for more information.

WHITE PLAINS, NY – National Health Promotion Associates (NHPA) welcomes a new class of interns for the 2016 summer program, Internship in Psychology, Health Education, and Communication.

​NHPA selected three interns from an ever-increasing pool of students with distinguished academic records and demonstrated evidence of leadership in health education and advocacy, drug and violence prevention, and support for underserved and at-risk populations. This year’s interns include:  Melanie Emerson, a recent Health Science graduate of Gettysburg College, Amanda Flower, a rising junior majoring in Public Health at Muhlenberg College, and Brooke Dugan, a rising senior majoring in Psychology and Communication at Loyola University Maryland.

The internship program focuses on issues related to health promotion and wellness, health communication and marketing, and the many facets of prevention.

“We are pleased to offer an internship in Psychology, Health Education, and Communication.  We are continually impressed by this group of students,” said Dr. Gilbert J. Botvin, the founder and president of NHPA. “They are bright, highly motivated, and very well prepared by their previous course work. It is our hope that the interns return to their respective universities with a greater understanding of psychology in an applied setting. We are excited to have them spend time with us.”

Over the course of the summer, the interns were involved in the development of numerous projects that employ Botvin Lifeskills Training (LST) at the National Health Promotion Associates headquarters. LST is an evidence-based prevention program for tobacco, alcohol and drug abuse, violence prevention, and bullying implemented in 38 countries around the world.

About National Health Promotion Associates

Established in 1985, National Health Promotion Associates (NHPA) is a dynamic health and wellness firm located in White Plains, New York. Dedicated to promoting behavioral health, NHPA focuses on developing, evaluating, and providing training to educators and health professionals on a range of health and wellness programs. An area of particular interest relates to the prevention of health risk behaviors among adolescents and young adults, including substance abuse, violence, bullying, and sexual violence. For more information visit: www.lifeskillstraining.com.

Contact:

Paulina Kalaj

Director, Communications & Media Relations

800-293-4969

pkalaj@nhpamail.com