Youth prevention
Know the Truth™
Prevention Program
The Know the Truth™ program (KTT) is a substance use prevention program designed for teenagers and young adults. The program is operated by the Mn Prevention & Recovery Alliance and is delivered to middle and high school students throughout Minnesota as part of the schools’ health class curriculum. The evidence-based program is delivered by trained prevention specialists, peer support specialists and by youth advocates using a peer to peer approach that encourages open dialogue and discussion of topics ranging from peer pressure to healthy coping skills.
The KTT curriculum aims to provide education and prevention resources to young people to help them make healthy choices and avoid substance use. Ultimately our goal is to reduce risk factors and enhance protective factors that work to save lives and build safer, stronger communities.
We pursue this by partnering annually with 300+ Minnesota schools, and by collaborating with parents, educators, law enforcement, and other community leaders to build awareness of, and provide education regarding, local substance use issues.
The KTT program is available to schools throughout Minnesota. The program is supported through private donations and public grants.
%
of adults struggling with Substance Use started experimenting with drugs and alcohol before the age of 18
Reasons stated for NOT using substances:
Boys and girls may offer different reasons for not participating in teen substance use. Here are some key reasons that have been identified based on gender:
Boys:
- Fear of negative consequences (such as getting caught or punished)
- Concerns about physical health and appearance
- Lack of interest in substance use or pressure to conform to stereotypes
- Perceived negative effects on athletic or academic performance
Girls:
- Fear of negative consequences (such as getting caught or punished)
- Concerns about negative social or emotional effects
- Lack of interest in substance use or pressure to conform to stereotypes
- Perceived negative effects on relationships or future goals
Following the KTT Presenation, 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 us.
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 a substance that they were using before hearing the presentation
%