Lifeskills
Objectives
The main goals of the LST program are to teach prevention-related information, promote anti-drug norms, teach drug refusal skills and to foster the development of personal self-management skills and general social skills.
Overview
LifeSkills Training (LST) is a comprehensive school-based substance abuse prevention program designed to prevent tobacco, alcohol and drug abuse among adolescents. Based on more than 20 years of scientific research, this groundbreaking program for primary, middle and high school students addresses a wide range of risk and protective factors by teaching personal and social skills in combination with drug resistance skills and normative education. Rather than simply teaching information about drugs, LifeSkills Training combats underlying causes of substance use and other high risk behaviors.
The program was developed in the late 1970s by Gilbert J. Botvin, PH.D., an internationally known expert on drug abuse prevention who is currently a Professor of Public Health and Psychiatry at Cornell University Medical College and Director of Cornell’s Institute for Prevention Research.
Outcomes
Children who participate in Life Skills will:
- Increase drug knowledge
- Decrease pro-drug attitudes
- Increase life skills (application)
Target Population
Life Skills can be implemented with all primary, middle and high school students.
