AdCare Educational Institute, Maine, with funding provided by the Safe and Drug-Free Schools Act administered by the Maine Office of Substance Abuse, Department of Health and Human Services has entered into a cooperative arrangement with Gardiner, Hall-Dale, Cony, Lewiston, Lisbon and Edward Little High Schools to provide a targeted intervention for students in these schools. This program targets "high risk" youth who have violated school alcohol and drug policies, who are on probation or who are under conditions placed upon them by probation officers or local police. These are young people who have used or are using alcohol or drugs but do not require or qualify for substance abuse treatment.

The intervention consists of two components, one for students and another for parents. The student component requires attending the PRIME For Life Under 21 program where participants learn to assess their personal risk levels for substance abuse and also learn the skills needed to make healthy choices. This program was developed by Prevention Research Institute. These classes are held in one of the local schools on a monthly basis. Schedules and locations are provided in advance.

The parent component involves a short meeting with parents during the first session and provides them with an opportunity to utilize the Maine Parents' Kit, an informational packet designed to help improve parenting skills. The kit was created by the Maine Office of Substance Abuse and includes practical tips, useful facts, and valuable statewide resources to help parents monitor and prevent alcohol use by youth.

For more information email or download a print brochure (PDF).