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Washington's Prevention and Intervention Services Program

Since 1989 when the Omnibus Alcohol and Controlled Substances Act was passed, Washington State has used the Prevention and Intervention Services Program, operated by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to work toward curbing alcohol, tobacco and other substance abuse in local Washington schools. The Program currently has trained intervention specialists placed in 13 programs located throughout the state and provides comprehensive student assistance programs that address substance abuse and violence in schools and surrounding neighborhoods.

Intervention specialists are a resource for students and families that may be vulnerable to, or showing tendencies towards, antisocial behavior; use of tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs; dependency on drugs; or are already coping with substance abuse. They work closely with classroom teachers to implement age-appropriate prevention curricula and develop individual student self-esteem and social skills that can help students resist pressure to use alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

In addition to classroom targeted prevention programs, intervention specialists are able to reach whole school communities through peer leadership and pledge programs in which drug free students mentor young students in an effort to teach them drug-free lifestyles through drug-free after-school activities and community involvement.

Through an independent, statewide evaluation, student reports have indicated that social skills, self-esteem, self-control, cooperation, and drug-free attitudes have been strengthened and negative behaviors such as truancy and fighting have been reduced. Teachers have also noted that over half (55%) of students in elementary schools that were involved in Prevention and Intervention programs showed improved school performance, while a small percentage of junior and high school students that were rated as being dependent on drugs showed an increase in grade point average.

Thirty days after participating in Prevention and Intervention programs, students reported decreased use of alcohol and marijuana and other drugs. Tobacco use was modestly decreased; however, 31 percent fewer students reported marijuana use and 26 percent fewer students reported binge drinking (five or more drinks).

To learn more about the Prevention and Intervention Services Program, can contact the Office of superintendent of Public Instruction in Olympia, Washington, at (360) 725-6059.