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Free Educator's Guide to Substance Use Prevention and Mental Wellness
Click on the resources below to learn more.
Evaluate Your Current Prevention Curricula
Wondering if your school’s prevention curriculum is effective? The Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (HECAT) offers a consistent way to assess your program based on national health education standards and CDC guidelines.
Bring Prevention Education Presentations to Your School
DuPage County Health Department
The Health Promotions Team delivers high-quality educational programs across DuPage County focused on enhancing physical, emotional, and social well-being at both individual and community levels.
Candor Health Education
Candor specializes in puberty, sex education, and substance use prevention programming. With flexible delivery options—virtual or in-person, synchronous or asynchronous—Candor equips students with accurate, age-appropriate health information to support informed decision-making.
Prevention Lesson Plans
Aligned with state mandates and best practices, these FREE evidence-based materials cover a range of prevention topics:
All Substances
Vaping, Tobacco, and Marijuana
- The Truth Initiative| Vaping Curriculum (Grades 8-12)
- Stanford REACH Lab| You & Me, Together Vape-Free (Elementary, Middle, and High School)
- Stanford REACH Lab| PRIDE Curriculum (Middle & High School)
- Stanford Reach Lab| Smart Talk: Cannabis (Elementary, Middle & High School)
Fentanyl and Opioids
- Operation Prevention (Elementary, Middle, & High School)
- ISBE Accredited Fentanyl Educator Course (For educators)
Mental Health
- NAMI| Ending the Silence (Middle & High School)
- Too Good for Drugs (Elementary, Middle & High School)
- Youth Mental Health First Aid (For anyone who works directly with teens)
Restorative Justice
Looking to promote this resource at your school? Download the flyer by clicking below.
Additional Prevention Resources
Looking to enhance your lessons without a full curriculum? Check out these FREE supplemental prevention resources.
All Substances
Stanford Medicine| REACH Lab (Middle & High School)
Resources include substance use videos, infographics, posters, factsheets, and more for numerous substances.
Candor Health Education| Substance Use Prevention Portal (Middle & High School)
Resources include substance use videos, games, and more for numerous substances.Interactive Kahoot Quizzes (Middle & High School)
Use these quizzes to engage students on key health topics. To play, sign in to your existing Kahoot account or click "Play as guest" at the top right corner of your screen.
Vaping, Tobacco, and Marijuana
- Ad Council| Vaping Campaign Materials (Grades 8–12)
Resources include vaping public service announcements (PSAs), print materials, and more.
Fentanyl and Opioids
Operation Prevention| School Resources (Elementary, Middle & High School)
Resources include opioid videos, games, virtual fieldtrips, activities, and more.One Pill Can Kill (All age groups)
Resources include opioid videos, printed materials, and more.
Mental Health
National Institute of Mental Health (All age groups)
Resources include mental health videos, quizzes, activities, print materials, and more.