CROSSROADS Adolescent Substance Abuse
What is CROSSROADS?
The CROSSROADS Adolescent Substance Abuse Prevention Program offers schools and organizations with an evidence-based approach to preventing and delaying adolescent drug use. Using an interactive peer educator-led curriculum and out-of-class activities, CROSSROADS guides students through a fun and educational process of discovery focused on skill development and strengthening mediators proven to prevent and delay substance abuse among young people. CROSSROADS addresses these proven prevention strategies:
- Positive social norms
- Beliefs about consequences
- Good decision-making
- Resisting pressure
- Accurate knowledge about drugs
- Making healthy commitments
CROSSROADS Adolescent offers middle schools, high schools and organizations a comprehensive approach to adolescent prevention backed by nearly 15 years of intensive program implementation experience. Our staff members, including practicing prevention professionals and a well-trained team of College Mentors, are dedicated to helping make CROSSROADS successful and effective in a variety of group settings.
To learn more about the CROSSROADS Adolescent program, our unique peer education model or any aspect of our adolescent prevention program, please visit our website at www.crossroadsprevention.com or contact us at (910) 962-7432 or toll-free at 1-866-215-6204.
The 5 CROSSROADS Adolescent Program Components
Peer Educators: These are middle or high school students selected by their teacher to co-teach the CROSSROADS curriculum to their classmates and conduct CROSSROADS Drug Information Booth exhibits and Social Norms Campaigns for their school or organization. To be selected as a Peer Educator, students should be positive role models for their peers, care about others, be responsible and be willing to lead drug abuse prevention lessons and activities for other students.
College Mentors: These are specially-trained UNCW students who assist in the recruitment and selection of our in-school Peer Educators and with the implementation of the CROSSROADS program in local schools and organizations. The Mentors train the Peer Educators and meet weekly with them to prepare them to lead CROSSROADS lessons, Drug Information Booth displays and Social Norms Campaigns. They mentor the Peer Educators and prepare them for teaching the CROSSROADS lessons and carrying out other CROSSROADS responsibilities. In addition, College Mentors serve as “technical experts” on the CROSSROADS program and are available to advise teachers and customers on ways to adapt and deliver the program’s activities in a variety of settings. CROSSROADS College Mentors complete over 35 hours of training and must agree to a criminal background check before beginning work in schools or organizations.
Drug Information Booths: CROSSROADS has created 6 colorful drug information displays that can be used in a variety of group settings as an interactive tool for heightening adolescents’ awareness of common drugs of abuse. Each display is designed for young audiences and is intended to be run by middle school or high school Peer Educators. Plus each Drug Information Booth includes the interactive CROSSROADS Drug Trivia Game, a fun way for students to test their basic drug knowledge.
Social Norms Campaign: The CROSSROADS Social Norms Campaigns are designed to help Peer Educators identify and promote actual healthy behaviors already practiced by students in their school or organization. The Campaigns begin with the Peer Educator-run Clipboard Survey, a simple 2-question survey designed to be completed by a cross-section of students in their school. Using data generated through the Clipboard Survey, the Peer Educators (with help from the College Mentors) then create their own Social Norms media campaign promoting one or both of the 2 resulting CROSSROADS Social Norms messages. Peers can choose to use CROSSROADS Social Norms posters or create their own marketing materials to promote their messages.
Classroom Curriculum: CROSSROADS includes a 7-lesson curriculum designed to be team-taught by Peer Educators and their teacher or another adult. Each CROSSROADS lesson is 45-minutes in length and is highly interactive, using games, debates, discussions and demonstrations to address the 7 prevention strategies around which CROSSROADS is built.
How can I reach CROSSROADS if I have any questions?
Please call or e-mail us at any time!
CROSSROADS Coordinator for Adolescent Programs & Community Outreach