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LifeSkills Training© (LST) is a researched proven school-based substance abuse prevention program. It is uniquely designed, proven effective, and grounded in over 20 years of research. Rather than simply teaching information about drugs, LifeSkills combats the underlying causes of substance use.

The LifeSkills program consists of three major components. Students who develop these skills are far less likely to engage in high-risk behaviors. The program includes the following three components:

• Drug Resistance Skills enable young people to recognize and challenge common misconceptions about tobacco, alcohol and other drug use. Through coaching and practice, they learn information and practical Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug use resistance skills for dealing with peers and media pressure.
  
  
• Personal Self-Management Skills teach students how to examine their self-image and its effects on behavior; set goals and keep track of personal progress; identify everyday decisions and how they may be influenced by others; analyze problem situations, and consider the consequences of each alternative solution before making decisions; reduce stress and anxiety, and look at personal challenges in a positive light.
  
  
• General Social Skills teach students the necessary skills to overcome shyness, communicate effectively and avoid misunderstandings, initiate and carry out conversations, handle social requests, utilize both verbal and nonverbal assertiveness skills to make or refuse requests, and recognize that they have choices other than aggression or passivity when faced with tough situations.

The results of over a dozen studies published in major scientific journals consistently show that the LifeSkillsTraining program dramatically reduces tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use. These studies further show that the program works with a diverse range of adolescents, produces results that are long-lasting, and is effective when taught by teachers, peer leaders, or health professionals. National studies showed the following results:

• Cuts tobacco, alcohol and marijuana use by 50 – 75%.
• Cuts polydrug use up to 66%.
• Reduces pack-a-day smoking by 25%.
• Decreases use of inhalants, narcotics and hallucinogens.

• Selected as an Exemplary Program by the Center of Substance Abuse Prevention.
• Selected as a top-Rated Program by US Department of Education.
• Identified as the top research-based program for schools by  researchers at the University of North Carolina’s School of Public Health.
• Cited as a School Prevention Program Effective With Youths At High Risk for Substance Abuse by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Selected for prevention excellence by:

• National Institute on Drug Abuse
• White House Office of Drug Policy
• US Department of Education
• American Medical Association
• American Psychological Association
• National Centers for Disease Control
• New York State Governor's Award
• Center for Substance Abuse Prevention
• Drug Strategies, Inc.
• US Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

Youth First works in collaboration with area schools to secure funding and to insure the highest quality coordination and implementation.  Youth First provides:

• Ongoing coordination and support to those involved in the LifeSkills program.
• Assists with seeking additional funding sources to sustain LifeSkills program.
• Provides the research tool designed by the Youth First Evaluation Committee.
• Facilitator training for those eligible and interested in participating in the LifeSkills Program.
• On going technical assistance for facilitators.
• Budgetary tracking.
• Marketing materials and recruitment assistance
• Program curriculum and student workbooks