
Youth Prevention Programs
Treatment of substance use in teens is different than treatment in adults. Early intervention helps to prevent long-term addiction by helping young people make the right decisions when they matter the most.
Teen Substance Use Prevention

Today, Americans are more likely to die of an opioid overdose than they are from cars or guns. Ninety percent of these addictions develop during teenage years when young adults are unaware that drug and opioid misuse can lead to an overdose.
Prevention programs are designed to intervene as soon as possible to strengthen awareness of the risks surrounding drug and opioid misuse, stopping it before it becomes a problem. Learn about the youth prevention programs Overdose Lifeline offers below.
U.S. adolescents suffer from a substance / alcohol use disorder
of addictions have been proven to originate in the teenage years
is the median age of onset for illicit drug use and alcohol abuse
Overdose Lifeline Youth Education & Prevention Programs
Overdose Lifeline is a leader in youth substance use programs, offering two education and prevention programs. Both programs are designed to increase teen awareness around drug and substance use and the dangers that come with it.

This is Not About Drugs
This is Not About Drugs (TINAD) is a universal program for youth grades 6 to 12 that addresses youth substance use with an emphasis on opioids (prescription pain medication, fentanyl, and heroin). Used by school and community partners in 36+ U.S. states to prevent opioid substance use, educate on the risks of fentanyl, how to recognize opioid overdose symptoms, the basics of the opioid reversal drug naloxone (NARCAN), the importance of calling 911, and more.

PreVenture
PreVenture is an evidence-based prevention program that promotes mental health and delays substance use among teens. Developed by Dr. Conrod, professor of psychiatry at the University of Montreal, PreVenture helps identify high-risk teenagers through a personality-based screening questionnaire and teaches them specialized coping skills respective of their identified personality styles.

Camp Mariposa—Indianapolis and Bloomfield: Aaron’s Place
Camp Mariposa Indianapolis and Bloomfield: Aaron’s place is a year-round addiction prevention and mentoring program for youth affected by the substance use disorder of a family member. Youth ages 9-12 attend weekend camps up to six times a year. Weekend camps offer fun, traditional camp activities combined with education and support sessions led by mental health professionals and trained adult mentors.

Aaron's Place: Exchange
Aaron’s Place Exchange (APEX) is a therapeutic intervention and mentoring program for youth aged 13-17. Taking place once per month for a couple of hours after school, Exchange offers an understanding environment that combines a teen addiction and drug prevention program with support sessions led by mental health professionals.
Is Your Child Affected By a Family Member’s Substance Use?
Aaron’s place is a free drug prevention program designed to provide youth aged 9-12 with a safe environment to learn about addiction while also enjoying a traditional camp experience. Taking place six times per year, Aaron’s Place is open to all youths that have been affected by substance use disorder.
Funding for Youth Substance Use Prevention Programs
Overdose Lifeline’s youth-focused programs meet requirements for the majority of grants supporting youth education and prevention. Additionally, both programs and online CE courses qualify for the Department of Education Title IV funding under Focus Area A: SEC. 4108. [20 U.S.C. 7118] ACTIVITIES TO SUPPORT SAFE AND HEALTHY STUDENTS.
- Implementing drug and violence prevention programs
This is (Not) About Drugs
PreVenture
- Training school personnel in drug, violence, trafficking and trauma
This is (Not) About Drugs
PreVenture
Online-courses
- Social-emotional learning including, but not limited to: interventions that build resilience, self-control, empathy, persistence and other social and behavioral skills
PreVenture
- Social-emotional learning including, but not limited to: interventions that build resilience, self-control, empathy, persistence and other social and behavioral skills
Camp Mariposa—Indianapolis: Aaron’s Place
Learn About Addiction, Naloxone and the Opioid Crisis with our Online Courses
Learn at Your Own Pace
Fulfill Educational Requirements
Earn Continuing Education (CE) Credits
From $15-45 per course
Accredited through the Purdue University School of Pharmacy, Continuing Education Department.