Reach Out Now
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, supports State and local initiatives on underage drinking prevention. The initiatives have the same goal—to help educators and communities prevent and reduce underage alcohol use. Through different approaches and materials, these initiatives encourage families to have open discussions with children about underage drinking and help youth make smart and healthy decisions. The initiatives usually take place during Alcohol Awareness Month in April.
What is Reach Out Now?
Reach Out Now (RON) is a collaboration between SAMHSA and Scholastic Inc. to provide effective school-based underage alcohol use prevention materials in time for Alcohol Awareness Month each April. The Scholastic package consists of materials that are aligned with national education standards. The package of materials was developed for fifth- and sixth-grade teachers and features ready-to-use lesson plans and worksheets, an interactive wall poster, bonus skill-building activity worksheets, and take-home items for parents and their children.
To view 2009 materials:
To access 2007 Reach Out Now materials.
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What is a Reach Out Now National Teach-In?
In the second component of this initiative, SAMHSA supports community-based organizations (CBOs) in conducting Reach Out Now Teach-Ins. Teach-Ins are conducted in fifth-and sixth-grade classrooms throughout the country, using supplements. Reach Out Now Teach-Ins are an excellent way for CBOs to deliver messages that build resistance skills among students and increase protective factors that help prevent underage alcohol use. SAMHSA encourages CBOs to conduct events during a specific week in Alcohol Awareness Month, although Teach-Ins can occur anytime during the year. The CBOs coordinate with schools to conduct the Teach-Ins. Having multiple events across the Nation during the same timeframe helps focus media attention on this important public health issue.
During the Teach-Ins, prominent community leaders present a specially designed lesson plan to students. Experience has shown that Teach-Ins led by prominent spokespersons encourage broader use of RON prevention materials by youth, teachers, and parents and help to garner media attention to the issue of underage alcohol use. SAMHSA’s Web-based technical assistance package for CBOs includes lesson plans, talking points, additional classroom activities such as puzzles, and a media kit.
Currently available Teach-In materials:
Teach-In Locations