Preventing Substance Misuse in Middle and High School

Middle school can be a tumultuous time for students. It’s also a time when many students are likely to encounter drugs and alcohol for the first time, making them particularly susceptible to substance misuse in middle school and throughout high school.

Consider these factors. During the middle and high school years students are becoming adolescents and experiencing the stress that often accompanies this. They may also be expanding or changing their social circles, taking on new academic challenges, and figuring out their own identities. They may decide to use alcohol or drugs out of curiosity, to fit in with peers, or because they are trying to escape from the everyday stressors of adolescence.

Middle and High School Student Substance Use by the Numbers

According to reports:

• 15% of high school students report they have used select illicit or injection drugs (i.e. cocaine, inhalants, heroin, methamphetamines, hallucinogens, or ecstasy) (CDC)
• 14% of students report misusing prescription opioids (CDC)
• 10% of middle and high school students report they use tobacco products (CDC)
• The FDA notes 10% (1.56 million) high school students and 4.6% (550,000) middle school students reported current use of e-cigarettes
• The average age students start vaping is 13.4 – right around the time they’re entering 7th or 8th grade (PreventionFirst!)
• The 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that 23% of high school students reported they had drunk alcohol in the past 30 days

Proactive School-Based Prevention

The good news is that the majority of middle and high school students are not misusing drugs or alcohol. However, for those who are it can be a dangerous path and can lead to addiction and lifelong consequences.

Proactive school-based prevention programs can help safeguard against substance misuse by helping students develop knowledge, attitudes, and skills to make good decisions, understand consequences, and avoid risky behaviors.

Prevention programs work best if they are focused on changing students’ mindsets and behavior though critical thinking, rather than by using scare tactics. Well-rounded prevention programs include substance misuse policies, prevention-centered partnerships – including with families – professional development for staff members, and prevention education for students. This age group is easily influenced by their peers so leveraging peer role models can be especially impactful.

Vector Solutions provides an award-winning library of online Student Safety & Wellness Courses for students in grades 6-12. Through engaging videos narrated by peer presenters, plus realistic scenarios and prompts to support in-class discussion, the courses are a great way to support middle and high school safety and wellness programs.

New for 2024, Vector has expanded its Substance Misuse Prevention Program to specifically address alcohol, drug and vaping misuse. The Substance Misuse Prevention program includes the following courses for grades 6-8 and 9-12:

Vaping: Understanding and Prevention. This course dispels the myths about the safety of vaping, explains the risks and potential consequences of using electronic vaping products, and addresses specific concerns related to the influences of social media and the dangers of nicotine addiction. Topics Include:

• Vaping Fundamentals
• The Short- and Long-Term Effects of Vaping
• Social Media, Social Pressure, and Common Misperceptions
• Refusal Skills and Support

Substance Use and Misuse Prevention. This course examines the categorization of drugs and their varying effects on the brain and body, paying particular attention to cannabis, opioids, and fentanyl. It discusses signs of substance misuse and the appropriate actions to seek help or support others in need. Students are guided to consider specific refusal skills and evaluate intervention methods, strengthening their ability to make informed decisions and set goals for a successful future. Topics Include:

• Substance Use and Misuse Overview
• Cannabis Use and Misuse: Understanding and Prevention
• Understanding Fentanyl Misuse: Preventing and Responding to Overdose
• Understanding Opioid Misuse: Preventing and Responding to Overdose

Alcohol Use and Misuse Prevention. This course covers the physiological effects of alcohol, the science of addiction, and other consequences of misuse. It also addresses norms and perceptions through an exploration of social pressure and the role of media in normalizing underage drinking. Students will also learn to identify alternative activities and healthy coping mechanisms as substitutes for alcohol and will learn how to understand and apply bystander intervention strategies. Topics Include:

• Understanding Alcohol and its Effects
• Media and Social Influence
• Supporting Ourselves and Others

Powerful technology features including courses translated into 20 languages, pre-and post-course assessments and surveys, in-course customizations, and data insights support districts in their strategic prevention planning and programming.

Learn More About Our Substance Misuse Prevention Program