Prevention Education Services
know the truth™ Prevention Program
Established in 2006 to prevent youth from suffering substance use issues and to serve Minnesota’s communities.
What we do
The Know the Truth™ Prevention Program (KTT) facilitates evidence-based prevention presentations, as well as other prevention strategies (guided by SAMHSA) in over 300 Minnesota high schools, middle schools, alternative learning centers, and juvenile detention centers, annually. Our program offers a full continuum of prevention services that extends beyond the classroom, identifying the need for community-based prevention efforts that create sustainable change. Since 2006, KTT has educated over 750,000 Minnesota youth, provided peer recovery support to over 5,000 students in need of recovery or in recovery, and educated over 50,000 professionals and community members.
evidence informed prevention education
Our in-person and virtual classroom presentations are led by trained prevention advocates who share real-time data and information about substance use. They address common misconceptions about drugs and alcohol and discuss health coping methods and life skills in ways that students can relate to. Our presenters also share their personal stories. This creates an environment for open and honest dialogue resulting in a change in student’s attitudes towards opioids, marijuana, alcohol, vaping, and other substances. Data shows that students were 5x less likely to try a substance after hearing the KTT presentations.
Small Group Discussion & Q+A With Trained Youth Prevention Advocates
Students are often afraid to discuss personal subjects like substance use and mental health with their peers or in front of their teachers in fear of getting themselves or someone they care about in trouble. Our Youth Prevention Advocates are trained to create a judgment-free atmosphere to allow for youth to ask questions and provide answers with direction.
Student resources
VIRTUAL SUPPORT GROUPS: Since we are not able to be in school connecting with students throughout the summer, we’re excited to be providing virtual support groups 2x a week! These groups are led by certified peer recovery specialists who are young in age and have lived experience with substance use disorder, to truly meet the students where they’re at. Anyone can join – the purpose of these groups is to provide a safe space for students to connect, seek support, and gain resources as they navigate their recovery journey.
Tuesdays @ 12pm & Thursdays @ 2pm
Join us on Zoom: 878-756-2976
TEXT HOTLINE: We provide a free 24/7 anonymous text hotline as a resource for students beyond classroom presentations and support groups. Texts are responded to within 24 hours by one of our trained Youth Prevention Advocates.
TEXT: 612-440-3967
Educating Minnesota’s youth and Communities
Following the KTT presentation, students are asked to fill out an anonymous survey that evaluates their current views about substance use and how the presentation impacted their perception of substance use.
The most recent findings from the survey show:
%
of students report having used a substance at least once this school year
on average, students are 5x less likely to use use a substance that they were before hearing the presentation
%
of students who were using before the presentation said they would quit using or use less after hearing the ktt message
From Our students & Teachers
KTT conducts an anonymous student survey at the end of each presentation to gather real-time data from students to identify current substance use trends, and presentation impact.
“Drugs and alcohol can be very harmful and ruin your goals and career.”
“How such a small decision that didn’t seem that serious snowballed into so much more.”
“KTT presenters have made such a difference in my classroom in helping students understand the importance of their decisions and knowing that there is always someone there for them!”
“I have been a Health and Physical Education teacher at Burnsville High School for 22 years and have had Know The Truth in my classroom for all 16 years! It’s been the most impactful speakers we have had on any topic! I think it’s been really good for the students to see there is hope after addiction..”
For more information about the Know The Truth Prevention Program,
Email: info@mnpra.org