The Substance Abuse Prevention Program at Aldersgate works within schools and the local community to reduce and prevent substance abuse among children and youth – specifically targeting reduction of the intended use of alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs among elementary, middle and high school students.  Specially-designed classroom programs and community-based activities encourage healthy, drug-free living for children, teens, young adults and families.  

Aldersgate staff members are dedicated to creating high quality, cost-effective prevention programs.  Education services and ongoing school and community outreach groups are key components of Aldersgate’s prevention philosophy.

Aldergate constantly develops, and continually reevaluates, its age-appropriate curriculum to help all youth develop:

  • Strong personal and interpersonal skills related to resisting alcohol, tobacco and illegal drug use.
  • Informed and appropriate attitudes toward alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drug use.
  • Knowledge of the negative consequences of alcohol, tobacco and illegal drug use and the benefits of a drug-free lifestyle.
  • Greater self esteem and more positive self-regard.
  • Positive peer norms.
  • Positive decision-making skills.

Our program's highly-interactive teaching methods encourage students to become, and bond with, drug-resistant advocates, and to engage students to be continually resistant through role-play, cooperative learning, interactive games, small group activities, and class discussions.  Students are given countless opportunities to participate and receive various recognition for their involvement.

  Outreach:

  • Providing age appropriate in-classroom educational programs and workshops to local school districts within Montgomery County.
  • Educating parents to the dangers, warning signs and symptoms of drug experimentation and use.
  • Conducting workshops on healthy living and positive family and peer relationships for educators, youth groups, college students, and religious and community organizations.

 Education:

  • Reaching out to the community through health fairs and other public events.
  • Giving teens and young adults a forum for fun, educational, and useful activities at local community centers through Aldersgate’s weekly on-site rap/teen discussion groups.
  • Assisting with the development of community-based coalitions.
  • Providing in-service training to elementary school teachers on topics such as bullying prevention, promoting positive social relationships in the classroom and facilitating pre-prom drug and alcohol education presentations for high school students.

For more information about Aldersgate’s highly-effective substance abuse prevention services, please contact:

Ellen DeRosa
Prevention Coordinator
Phone: (215) 657-4545
FAX:  (267) 518-0009