Here are some youth programs. For specific information, contact a teacher or guidance counselor.

Reality Tour

The Reality Tour Drug Prevention Program has the cooperation of six school districts in Butler County.

South Butler, Mars, Karns City, Moniteau, Slippery Rock and Seneca Valley have partnerships with CANDLE, the nonprofit agency that oversees the program. Each district asks parents to take their child to an evening Reality Tour for a comprehensive prevention education before substance abuse becomes a problem.

Statistics nationally show that 40 percent of high school seniors feel heroin is not too risky to try, according to Norma Norris, director of the Reality Tour.

For the first time statistics in Butler County, show methamphetamine as a drug of choice among adolescents. Methamphetamine, a highly addictive, home-manufactured drug, is an overwhelming problem in other parts of the United States.

Parents with children age 10 and up may attend a Reality Tour. Registration is online at www.RealityTour.org.

The Reality Tour in October was awarded the Community Crime Prevention Program of 2008 by the International Society of Crime Prevention Practitioners at the group’s meeting in Denver, Col.

CANDLE stands for Community Action Network for Drug — Free Lifestyle Empowerment.

Stand Tall

This is a school-based organization that develops a positive peer pressure group in schools and the community.

Members of this group, who vow to abstain from use of drugs and alcohol, prove teenagers can remain straight and clean and not give in to negative peer pressure.

It is open to any student at Butler Junior High School, Butler Intermediate School and Butler, Karns City, Moniteau and Knoch high schools.

School programs

There are a number of self-improvement programs at your school. Check with your guidance counselor about getting involved.

• : Teens Against Tobacco Use

• BYTE: Butler Youth Tobacco Education

• SADD: Students Against Destructive Decisions

• College Bound: Educates high school seniors on risks and consequences of drug and alcohol use as it relates to transition from high school.

• NOT: Tobacco cessation program

• Drug Awareness Program: Butler County Detective Pat Cannon educates on the negative impact of drugs.

• Reach/Strive Prevention Plus Training: A four-day peer leadership for anti-drug and alcohol members

• On Applebee Pond: Drugs and alcohol prevention using puppets for elementary pupils

• Babes: Beginning Alcohol and Addictions Basic Education Studies

• STOP: Students Together Organizing Prevention

• TADA: Teens Against Drugs and Alcohol

• Teen Institute: A two-day drug and alcohol education

• DARE: Drug Abuse Resistance Education

• Red Ribbon Week: Teaches the effects of alcohol use on one’s body, family, friends and community through a variety of activities

• SAP: Student Assistance Program

• Olweus: Bullying prevention program

• Starfish: Peer mentoring program promoting diversity acceptance, kindness, respect and teamwork

• HELP: Character education and positive decision-making program

• Walk in My Shoes: Bullying prevention program

• Pajama Rama and Main Event: Bullying prevention program

• Evening Parent Education Programs: Educates parents on internet dangers/safety and current drug and alcohol issues

Need to talk: If you have questions about this topic, call the Butler County Drug and Alcohol Program at 724-284-4114 or the county’s drug tip line at 866-363-3784.

Every middle and high school in the state has a team of people to assist students and their parents with drug issues.The Student Assistance Program has team members at each school that can provide screenings for mental health and drug or alcohol issues. These team members, teachers and guidance counselors at the school do not diagnose problems, however.The team will find services in the school or community to help the student and provide the information parents need to make decisions about their children.Other services provided include:• Follow up services.• Support groups.• Prevention activities.• Support following a death at the school.• Crisis services.There are four phases of the program:Referral — Anyone can refer a student to the program. Students also can go to the team members and ask for help.Team planning — The team gathers information about the student from school personnel and parents. Then parents, the team and the student meet and develop a plan.Intervention and recommendations — The plan is implemented. The team might recommend a drug and alcohol or mental health assessment.Support — The team continues to work with the student and the family. Follow-up includes monitoring, mentoring and motivating for academic success.For more information about the program, contact the school guidance office.Information from the state Department of Public Welfare.