Summary
Botvin LifeSkills Training (LST) is a research-validated substance abuse prevention program proven to reduce the risks of alcohol, tobacco, drug abuse, and violence by targeting the major social and psychological factors that promote the initiation of substance use and other risky behaviors. This comprehensive and exciting program provides adolescents and young teens with the confidence and skills necessary to successfully handle challenging situations.
Program-specific outcomes:
- Decreased alcohol use
- Decreased substance use (e-cigarettes, marijuana, pills)
- Increased student knowledge of health and risk
Strategies supporting educational equity (CASEL)
Not available at this time.
Implementation
Below are key implementation details for this program. These specifications help determine if the program is a good fit for your school or organization.
Grade(s)
Elementary (K-5), Middle (6-8), High School (9-12)
Setting
Classroom, Community
Language
English
Cost
Contact program for cost
# Lessons
Varies by age level
Program Design
Tier 1 (Universal)
Technology Requirements
None
Staffing Requirements
No additional staff required
Professional Development
Onsite virtual
Outcomes
Decreased substance use
Improved attitude/behavior related to substance use
Advocate for reducing stigma associated with emotional and mental and behavioral health
Compare & contrast emotional, mental-behavioral illness, mental well-being and concurrent disorders
Decreased suicidal behavior
Describe how self-harm or suicide impacts other people
Describe laws related to minors accessing mental health care
Explain how to help someone who is thinking about attempting suicide
Identify school and community resources that can help a person with emotional, mental and behavioral health concerns
Improved Academic Performance
Improved attitude/behavior related to suicide
Improved identification of individuals at-risk for suicide
Improved Identity Development/ Agency
Improved Prosocial Behavior
Improved School Climate
Improved School Connectedness
Improved SEL Skills and Attitudes
Improved Teaching Practices
Increased help-seeking behavior
Reduced Emotional Distress
Reduced Problem Behavior
Evidence of Effectiveness
Studies documenting the effectiveness of LST have been funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA); the National Cancer Institute (NCI); the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI); and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).
Published Studies
https://www.lifeskillstraining.com/evaluation-studies/
Griffin KW, Williams C, Botvin CM, Sousa S and Botvin GJ (2022). Effectiveness of a hybrid digital substance abuse prevention approach combining e-Learning and in-person class sessions. Front. Digit. Health 4:931276.