FRIENDLY PEERSUASION PROGRAM (PHASE I – 7th grade)

The Friendly PEERsuasion program is a unique response to girls’ needs because it approaches drug-abuse prevention as a peer issue, using the positive influence of young people modeling healthy behavior.

Phase I
Girls ages 11 to 14 go through a series of workshops that train them as facilitators to provide programming on decision-making, assertiveness, and communication skills. They also practice walking away from situations where they feel pressured to use alcohol or drugs.

Phase II
The newly trained “PEERsuaders” plan substance-abuse prevention activities for groups of children ages 6 through 10. The older girls are role models and leaders.

Results
An independent evaluation showed that Friendly PEERsuasion helped to delay girls’ use of harmful substances, especially by giving them the skills to leave situations where their peers were using drugs.

Middle Schools sites:
El Sausal, Salinas
Main Street, Soledad
Vista Verde, Greenfield
North Monterey County Middle School, Castroville
Aptos Jr. High School, Aptos
Walton Colton Middle School, Monterey
Seaside Middle School, Seaside
Chalone Peaks, King City
Washington Middle School, Salinas
San Justo Middle School, Hollister
Cesar Chavez Middle School, Watsonville

Elementary Schools sites:
Fremont Elementary School, Salinas
Gabilan Elementary School, Soledad
Oak Avenue Elementary, Greenfield
Castroville Elementary School in Castroville
Ord Terrace Elementary School, Seaside
Mission Park, Salinas
Del Rey Elementary, King City
Ladd Lane Elementary School, Hollister
H. A. Hyde Elementary School, Watsonville
Los Padres Elementary School, E. Salinas
Mar Vista Elementary School, Aptos
Monte Vista Elementary School, Monterey

If you are interested in joining or would like more information, please contact the Girls Inc. of the Central Coast office at (831) 772-0882.