"Thank you for teaching me to say no and still keep my friends." - PEP CHAMPS student
"It changed my mind a lot. I now never want to smoke." - PEP Teens Nix Tobacco student
A lifetime of healthy choices begins with healthy behaviors and skills learned in childhood. CHD's volunteer team of parent educators stands up for safe and healthy children, teaching them to be resilient to the pressures and dangers of using tobacco, alcohol and other drugs.
PEP's Tribes group process promotes resiliency and healthy life choices in children so they can reduce the likelihood of using and abusing harmful substances in later years. The program has an explicit "no use" message with an interactive format that engages children to learn resistance skills, self-esteem and responsible decision-making.
Other programs include:
Parents are positive role models. Research shows that "... it is more effective for well-trained parents to teach drug education curricula in kindergarten through grade six... than it is for teachers or outside authorities to do so." (Not Schools Alone, California Department of Education).