In addition to Butte County’s elevated drug induced death rate relative to California overall, our local emergency department treatment and release rate was 33% higher for conditions related to alcohol, and 28% higher for other drugs of abuse, compared to the state. Studies have shown that prevention and intervention of substance misuse in early adolescence to young adulthood is effective for averting the development of substance-related and addictive disorders later in life.

The office of National Drug Control Policy recommends the use of life-skills training programs – as they use interactive techniques focused on critical thinking, communication and social competency. Developing and strengthening these skills during adolescence is protective against substance misuse and abuse.

Butte County Office of Education (BCOE), Skyway House, Oroville Church of the Nazarene, Butte County Behavioral Health, Butte Youth Now, Butte County Tobacco Coalition, Butte County Public Health Department, & Butte County Drug Abuse Prevention Task Force.

• The Minnesota Smoking Prevention Program was implemented for 6^th grade students, serving 649 students during the 2015-2016 school year.
• The Botvin Life-Skills Curriculum has been implemented in nine local school districts for 7^th and 8^th grade students, serving 348 students during the 2015-2016 school year.
• A Sport Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs (ATOD) Program has been implemented in 9^th grade PE classes, serving 955 students during the 2015-2016 School Year.

• Life-skills curricula are currently being implemented for grades 6^th - 9^th for the 2016-2017 school year.
• Since this is the second year for life-skills curricula in Butte County schools, more students will be served through booster curriculum available through the program.