Protecting You/Protecting Me is MADD’s innovative alcohol-use prevention curriculum for children in grades 1-5.  Research shows that the risk for alcohol and other drug use skyrockets when children enter the sixth grade, between the ages of 12 and 13.  To be effective in preventing alcohol use by teenagers, we must reach out to and educate children before the risk appears.

A Model Program

The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP), has designated Protecting You/Protecting Me as a model program. SAMHSA gives model designation when a program meets “the highest scientific standards and its developers have the capacity to provide high-quality materials, training, and technical assistance to communities that wish to use the program.” (SAMHSA), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Customized by Grade Level

The Protecting You/Protecting Me curriculum provides a series of 40 science- and health-based lessons (eight lessons for each grade 1 through 5) that are designed to be incorporated into a school’s core curriculum and meet required educational standards. The scope and sequence of the lessons are designed to deliver content that’s age- and grade-appropriate. And the sessions are different lengths, depending on the ability of children to focus and understand.  The first and second grade lessons generally last 20-25 minutes, and the fifth grade lessons last 45-50 minutes. 

The program is also available is Spanish and has been culturally tailored for Native American students.

Skills Young Students Can Use

Protecting You/Protecting Me is the only curriculum that teaches children how to protect themselves and make informed decisions about alcohol based on the latest brain research. The curriculum covers specific ways to handle difficult situations such as reducing the risks if riding with a driver who is not alcohol-free.  In addition, the lessons cover a variety of life skills including media awareness, stress management, resistance strategies, decision-making and communication. Students learn these skills and information through group activities, structured discussion, role-play, exploring real life topics and issues, and parent involvement
For more information, please contact pypminfo@madd.org