Program Overview:

Project TND targets high school youth, ages 14 to 19. The program has proved successful when implemented in regular as well as alternative (continuation) high schools, with students from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.

At the completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Stop or reduce the use of cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana, and hard drugs (i.e., cocaine, hallucinogens, depressants, amphetamines, etc).

• Stop or reduce weapon carrying and victimization.

• State accurate information about the consequences of drug use and abuse, including environmental, social, physiological, and emotional consequences.

• Demonstrate behavioral and cognitive coping skills.

• Make a personal commitment regarding drug use.

Awards and Recognition

Project TND has been identified as a model, exemplary, or evidence-based program by the following organizations:

• U.S. Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP)
  Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

• U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP/DSG)

• U.S. Department of Defense

• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

• Health Canada

• California Department of Education
  Getting Results Program

• Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development
  University of Colorado, Boulder

Program Implementation

Project TND was designed for implementation in a classroom setting by a trained teacher or health education specialist. However, some community-based organizations have adapted it for use in a community setting where trained implementers are available.

The project includes 12 classroom-based sessions, each of which is 40 to 50 minutes in length. The program was designed for implementation over a four-week period (i.e., 3 sessions per week). However, if you need to spread it out, you could implement it twice a week over a six-week period on the condition that all lessons are taught.

Each of the program sessions is highly participatory and interactive. The sessions provide opportunities for interactions among students and between students and the teacher.

Three of the 12 sessions include the option to deliver program content using either entire class discussion, or the use of small groups.

The materials required for implementation include the Teacher’s Manual and one copy of the Student Workbook for each student, which either may be kept or used as a reference book. There is a video for use in Session 12, which is optional. The classroom should be equipped with a chalkboard. Use of an overhead projector or computer with PowerPoint software is optional.

We know that Project TND works when it is implemented with fidelity. In order for the program to be effective, all of the sessions need to be taught. In addition, the sessions need to be taught as written in the Teacher’s Manual, utilizing the content and instructional techniques that are specified.

(Source: https://tnd.usc.edu/     (c) 2021)