Student Assistance Program

District 125 recognizes that alcohol, tobacco and other drug use not only interfere with a student's ability to learn, but also lead to a multitude of other problems for students and their families.  

Parents have the strongest influence over their children's choices to experiment with and/or use alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. However, because adolescents spend over one third of their waking hours in school and at school-related functions, the school has a unique opportunity to decrease and eliminate substance abuse through the implementation of a comprehensive Student Assistance Program. While a school does not cause the problem of a young person choosing to use chemicals, the school can be in a powerful position to provide solutions. 

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Target Groups of the Program

• Students who are chemically dependent; an estimated 5% who are most seriously affected by their alcohol/drug use.
• Students who abuse alcohol or other drugs; an estimated 15-20% whose alcohol/drug use is causing them problems in their daily lives.
• Students who are affected by the chemical use of others; an estimated 25% of all school-aged youth who are affected by someone else's alcohol/drug abuse.
• Recovering students; those who are returning to the school setting from alcohol/drug treatment program, and who are attending school and treatment concurrently.
• Non-using and non-abusing students; the majority of remaining students who need help in avoiding alcohol and drug abuse or need support for their decision to remain chemically-free.
• Students with other non alcohol and other drug abuse related problems; such as depression, separation/divorce, death and loss, suicide, child abuse, neglect, etc.

Based on national survey results found in When Chemicals Come to School by Gary Anderson.

A major goal of the Student Assistant Program is to intervene early on behalf of students who are beginning to show signs of escalating academic and behavioral problems within the school setting. The Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator is available to provide support and assistance to students and their families with tobacco, alcohol and other drug-related issues. All of the following Groups meet in a safe and confidential setting.

• INSIGHT Class -- meets three times a week to provide students with information about the dangers of substance abuse and addiction as well as support for a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.
• Positive Choices (9-10th graders) -- drug education for the younger student addressing healthy friendship choices, boundary setting and concerns with possible experimentation with alcohol or drugs.
• Drug Education Group -- meets weekly to assist students dealing with substance abuse and addiction working to lead a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.
• Transitions Group (11-12th graders) -- assists the older student who has addressed a past issue of drug or alcohol abuse and is now concerned with a healthy life focus after graduation
• Recovery Group -- this weekly group exclusively supports students who have been attending
  12 step groups in the community such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, etc.
• S.O.S. -- Stop Our Smoking Program -- designed to assist students to quit smoking.

For more information contact:
Stephanie Elsass,
Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator
Room 2406
(847) 415-4529