Substance Abuse Prevention - Arlington Public Schools

If you have concerns about someone you believe may be using opioids or other substances and needs help, please contact an APS substance abuse counselor. In an emergency, dial 911 and use the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or text to 741741. Visit our In Crisis/Need Help Now Page for a full list of resources.

Substance Abuse Counselors provide the following services:

Educate, prevent and intervene early
Coordinate and collaborate services, including internal and external referrals
Engage students in a safe and confidential environment in order to facilitate open communication with them
Help students achieve their full potential by identifying risk factors early and helping them reduce learning barriers
Encourage students, parents and caregivers to access the available supports and resources

Elementary School Classroom Lessons

Grade 4:

Refusal skills
peer pressure
tobacco products
alcohol
prescription medication
over-the-counter medication
How to say, “No”

Grade 5:

Prescription medication
Unused medication safety
Counterfeit pills

Middle School Classroom Lesson

	Grade 6	Grade 7	Grade 8
Topics	APS substance use policy The role of an APS substance abuse counselor Confidentiality Tobacco products Alcohol Marijuana Prescription medication safety Counterfeit pills Over-the-counter medication	APS substance use policy The role of an APS substance abuse counselor Confidentiality Tobacco products Alcohol Marijuana Prescription medication safety Counterfeit pills Over-the-counter medication	APS substance use policy The role of an APS substance abuse counselor Confidentiality Tobacco products Alcohol Marijuana Prescription medication safety Counterfeit pills Over-the-counter medication Addiction and dependence Teen brain development and substance abuse Decision-making and refusal skills

Middle School Substance Abuse Prevention

Parent/Family Education

Substance Abuse Counselors provide ongoing presentations in the APS community and facilitate discussion groups with families about Substance Abuse Education and Prevention.

Staff Education and Training

To ensure that all APS staff have the most up-to-date information, all secondary staff are required to engage in opioid, fentanyl, and Naloxone training.

Naloxone Training

APS has Naloxone (also known as NARCAN®) Nasal Spray available at every middle and high school, with personnel in each school trained to administer this treatment. Naloxone is a medication designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdose, and APS is working to increase the supply of Naloxone in each school.

Confidentiality Information

Confidentiality Statement: Each individual is entitled to have all identifying information that a provider maintains or knows about him remain confidential. Each individual has a right to give his authorization before the provider shares identifying information about him or his care unless another state law or regulation, or these regulations specifically require or permit the provider to disclose specific information.

Confidentiality Regulations. 42 CFR Part 2: APS Substance Abuse Counselors adhere to the ethical standards set forth by their professional organization-National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC). Substance Abuse Counselor confidentiality code is governed by federal law (42 U.S.C. Section 290dd-2) and regulations (42 CFR Part 2).12VAC35-115-80.