The Life Skills Training program was created by Dr. Gilbert J. Botvin, an internationally known expert on drug abuse prevention.  The Life Skills Training program is an exciting new approach to prevention which is designed to focus primarily on the major social and psychological factors promoting the initiation and early stages of substance use/abuse. The main emphasis of the Life Skills Training program is on the development of important, personal, and social skills.  Some of the material included in the program relates to the acquisition of general life skills, while other material relates in a more direct and specific way to the problem of substance abuse.

Currently the Allegany Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Inc’s(ACASA) Prevention Educators are completing Life Skills Training in: Belfast, Bolivar-Richburg, Fillmore, Friendship, Genesee Valley, ICS, Wellsville, and Whitesville school districts.

Strengths of the Life Skills Training program:

• Based on scientific evidence of what causes substance abuse.
• Uses a comprehensive approach.
• Emphasizes proven skills training methods.
• Documented effectiveness through extensive evaluation.
• Proven to reduce tobacco, alcohol, & other drug use.

Life Skills Training is covered in 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th Grades.

GRADE 6 COVERS(18 Sessions):

• Self-Image & Self- Improvement.
• Making Decisions.
• Smoking, Alcohol, & Marijuana
• Advertising.
• Violence & the Media.
• Coping with Anger & Anxiety.
• Communication Skills.
• Social Skills.
• Assertiveness.
• Resolving Conflict.

GRADE 7 (BOOSTER) COVERS(12 Sessions):

• Drug Abuse & Violence
• Making Decisions.
• Media Influences.
• Coping with Anxiety & Anger.
• Communication Skills.
• Social Skills.
• Assertiveness.
• Resolving Conflicts.
• Resisting Peer Pressure.

GRADE 8 (BOOSTER)COVERS(9 Sessions):

• Drug Abuse.
• Making Decisions.
• Media Influences.
• Coping with Anxiety & Anger.
• Social Skills.
• Assertiveness.
• Resolving Conflicts.
• Resisting Peer Pressure.

Life Skills Training Research has shown to:

• Cuts Tobacco, Alcohol, & Marijuana use by up to 75%.
• Booster Sessions maintain prevention effects.
• Effects last up to 6 years.
• Cuts Polydrug use by up to 66%
• Decreases use of Inhalants, Narcotics,  & Hallucinogens.

For more information on Life Skills Training please contact ACASA’s Director of Prevention Kim Strauser at (585) 593-1920 ext. 719 or email at kstrauser@alleganycouncil.org.