Comprehensive Substance Use Education Workshop for High School Caregivers

Public perceptions of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) are evolving, with teen AOD use rising in the U.S. About 75% of high school students have engaged in AOD use (Teen Substance, 2011). To address this, harm reduction offers a community-driven approach prioritizing safety, health, and dignity. Unlike abstinence-only models, harm reduction minimizes negative consequences by providing practical strategies and direct engagement with adolescents (Streimann, 2017). We facilitated 11 harm-reduction workshops for caregivers of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students. Schools can request workshops through CPS or by contacting I+HEAL Lab. Sessions, available in English and Spanish, cover reasons for adolescent substance use, common drugs, harm reduction vs. abstinence, and caregiver communication strategies. A pre-and post-workshop questionnaire measured knowledge changes, with 50 pre- and 29 post-assessments completed. These workshops equip caregivers and educators to support students with comprehensive, identity-conscious substance use education, fostering healthier school communities.