Drug and Alcohol Prevention
Drug and Alcohol Prevention
VHCS is committed to helping students make safe, healthy choices. Drug and alcohol prevention is most effective when schools and families work together to provide education, support, clear expectations, and early intervention when concerns arise.
Families play an important role in prevention. Talking with your child early and often about vaping, alcohol, marijuana, medication misuse, and other substances can help them build confidence, make informed decisions, and know how to ask for help when they feel pressured or overwhelmed.
Why Prevention Matters
Substance use can affect a student’s health, safety, decision-making, relationships, attendance, academics, and overall well-being. Prevention efforts help students understand risks, develop refusal skills, manage stress in healthy ways, and identify trusted adults who can support them.
Students may face pressure through peers, social media, parties, extracurricular settings, or other environments. Ongoing conversations at home can help students prepare for those situations before they happen.
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Consider contacting your child’s school counselor or administrator if you notice:
- Sudden changes in mood, behavior, grades, attendance, or friendships
- Increased secrecy, withdrawal, or changes in routines
- Smell of smoke, vape devices, unfamiliar containers, or unusual items
- Missing medication, alcohol, money, or household items
- Increased risk-taking or concerning social media activity
- Loss of interest in activities they usually enjoy
- Your child appears impaired, unusually tired, agitated, or disconnected
- Your child shares concerns about peer pressure, substance use, or unsafe situations
You do not need to be certain that your child is using substances before reaching out. If something feels concerning, school staff can help determine the next step.
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School counselors, administrators, nurses, and student support staff can partner with families when there are concerns about substance use, peer pressure, or student safety. Support may include:
- Talking with the student and family
- Helping students identify healthy coping strategies and trusted adults
- Connecting families with school or community resources
- Providing prevention education and parent resources
- Collaborating with staff when school-based support is needed
- Helping families determine appropriate next steps
School-based support is not a replacement for medical care, substance use treatment, or long-term counseling. When additional care is needed, VHCS staff can help families connect with appropriate community resources or outside providers.
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If you are concerned about your child or another student, please contact your child’s school counselor or school administrator.
You may also call VHCS Student Support Services at 205-402-5100 and ask to be connected with the appropriate support.
If there is an immediate safety concern or medical emergency, call 911.
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Recovery Resource Center - A central point of information concerning substance abuse treatment. The center’s staff and volunteers answer questions, initiate the treatment process, and make referrals as needed.