DECYDE (Drug Education Centred on Youth Decision Empowerment)
Resource Description
DECYDE is a substance use education and awareness resource designed to give students the knowledge and skills they need to make informed decisions about substance use. It aims to build resilience, reduce harms, and promote well-being through evidence- and trauma-informed prevention, and harm minimization education delivered in partnership with schools, families/caregivers, and communities. DECYDE includes 2–4 lessons for students in Grades 4–12; some lessons for Grades 7–9 require more than one session to complete. DECYDE is delivered by classroom teachers.
Overview
Developmental Stage
Early/Middle Childhood (K–Grade 5); Early/Middle Adolescence (Grades 6–9); Late Adolescence (Grades 10–12)
Developed / Used in Canada
Developed and used in Canada
Tiers
Tier 1: Universal
Evidence Category
Emerging
Supports Offered
Lesson plans and other resources for Grades 4–12 are available online (2–4 lessons per grade, some of the lessons for Grades 7–9 require several classes to complete). Training for teachers is in development but not yet available.
Clauses Addressed
- 1.1.3 – Health literacy and resilience
- 2.1.3 – Health literacy and resilience
- 3.1.3 – Health literacy and resilience
- 1.1.6 – Aligned messaging
- 2.1.6 – Aligned messaging
- 3.1.6 – Aligned messaging
- 1.1.9 – Avoiding ineffective approaches
- 2.1.9 – Avoiding ineffective approaches
- 3.1.9 – Avoiding ineffective approaches
- 2.1.12 – Promoting healthy norms
- 3.1.12 – Promoting healthy norms
- 2.1.13 – Exploring risks and harms
- 3.1.13 – Exploring risks and harms
- 2.1.15 – Building connection and reducing risk
- 3.1.15 – Building connection and reducing risk
- 3.1.19 – Foundations for social-emotional competence
Research Outcomes Summary
Early work includes a review of harm minimization approaches to substance use education and focus groups with educators in Newfoundland and Labrador, which informed the resource's design. Student outcome data are not yet available.
