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Handbook of Culturally Responsive School Mental Health pp 197–208Cite as

Culturally Integrated Substance Abuse and Sex Education Prevention

Programming for Middle School Students

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Abstract

Co-occurring problems of early and unprotected sex and drug use can lead to several adverse social, health, and academic outcomes for youth, especially those who reside within low-resource communities. Early adolescence (age 11–14) can be an especially vulnerable period for the initiation of substance abuse and risky sexual activity. Two significant changes occur during this developmental period: puberty and the transition to middle school. With puberty comes movement away from family toward peers for affiliation and social needs. Affiliation with delinquent peers may contribute to early and/or risky sexual behavior and substance use. The transition from the more protective environment of elementary school to middle school brings greater independence and increased responsibilities. Consequently, this is a developmental crossroads at which children may embark upon a high-risk path. Accordingly, programming that is aimed at preventing substance abuse and early and/or risky sexual behavior among middle school students is critical. Such programming is necessary to prevent the onset of behaviors that would otherwise likely continue into adulthood with devastating consequences for the individual and society.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Norfolk State University, 700 Park Ave, Norfolk, VA, 23504, USA

    Desi S. Hacker, Jamie Grisham & Darlene G. Colson

  2. Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23284, USA

    Faye Z. Belgrave & Jasmine Abrams

Authors
  1. Desi S. Hacker
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  2. Faye Z. Belgrave
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  3. Jamie Grisham
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  4. Jasmine Abrams
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  5. Darlene G. Colson
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Correspondence to Desi S. Hacker .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Education, Dept. Educational Psychology, Rutgers University, Seminary Place 10, New Brunswick, 08901, New Jersey, USA

    Caroline S. Clauss-Ehlers

  2. , Department of Psychology, Virginia State University, Hayden Drive 1, Petersburg, 23806, USA

    Zewelanji N. Serpell

  3. , Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Pendleton Street 1512, Columbia, 29208, South Carolina, USA

    Mark D. Weist

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Hacker, D.S., Belgrave, F.Z., Grisham, J., Abrams, J., Colson, D.G. (2013). Culturally Integrated Substance Abuse and Sex Education Prevention. In: Clauss-Ehlers, C., Serpell, Z., Weist, M. (eds) Handbook of Culturally Responsive School Mental Health. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4948-5_15

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