OCPS launches drug prevention program

From Orange County Public Schools

The Superintendent's Student Advisory Council has launched the #TooSmartToStart campaign to prevent drug use by their classmates. The students brainstormed the name and message, made a video and are holding special events for their schools' student body to take a pledge, sign a banner in support and are incorporating it into activities like sports games and Proms.

The council, which includes 2-3 students from each high school, presented their campaign to the school board last night. Westgate Resorts CEO David Siegel, whose daughter died in 2015 from a prescription drug overdose, was there to support the campaign. The council gave Mr. Siegel, Dr. Jenkins and the school board members #TooSmartToStart campaign t-shirts.

Too Smart To Start is a public education initiative sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Through this initiative, SAMHSA provides research-based strategies and materials to professionals and volunteers at the community level to help them conduct an underage alcohol use prevention program. The materials are designed to educate youth about the harms of alcohol use and to support parents and caregivers as they participate in their children’s activities.

Too Smart To Start Objectives

Increase the number of conversations between parents and caregivers and their underage children about the harms of underage alcohol use.

Increase the percentage of underage youth and their parents and caregivers who see underage alcohol use as harmful.

Increase public disapproval of underage alcohol use.