Keep a Clear Mind

Keep a Clear Mind (KACM) is a take-home drug education program for elementary school students in grades 4-6 (ages 9-11) and their parents. KACM is designed to help children develop specific skills to refuse and avoid use of "gateway" drugs. The program consists of four weekly lessons based on a social skills training model: Alcohol, Tobacco, Marijuana, and Tools to Avoid Drug Use. Each lesson introduces the topic for the week and is followed by a sequence of five activities to be completed at home with a parent. The activities include answering a simple question about drugs, listing reasons not to use specific drugs, writing "No" statements to resist social pressure to use drugs, selecting from a list of alternatives the best ways to refuse and avoid drugs, and completing contracts to refuse and avoid drugs. Small incentives such as folders, stickers, and bookmarks are provided to students who return their completed lessons within the indicated period. Parent newsletters prompt parents to reinforce their children for practicing saying no to drugs and provide specific behavior tips for communicating with children about how to avoid drug use. KACM can be facilitated by schools, private practice counselors, community-based youth organizations, and recreation centers.