Strategy 1: Dissemination of Information

Definition: This strategy provides awareness and knowledge of the nature and extent of ATOD use, abuse and addiction and their effects on individuals, families and communities. It also provides knowledge and awareness of available prevention programs and services. Information dissemination is characterized by one-way communication from the source to the audience, with limited contact between the two. 

Generally speaking, Dissemination of Information is the strategy that changes or increases individual and community awareness regarding alcohol, tobacco and other drug use and addiction, as well as the prevention and intervention programs available/needed to address these societal concerns.

• Get the word out regarding your school’s Red Ribbon activities in order to increase student/parent/teacher participation.
• Send information home to promote parent involvement in the prevention education of their children.
• Support community based programs, activities and resources by sharing other agencies appropriate information with your students/parents/teachers.

Red Ribbon will provide many opportunities for you to disseminate information.  You are encouraged to share information with parents, students and teachers all year long.

• Include alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention related ads/articles in your student newspaper or principal newsletter throughout the year.  There are great resources available on the web (many are identified in this training workshop) or work with students from your school to develop some. 
• Disseminate information regarding the clubs on campus and other groups offering students opportunities to be involved in activities that do not include alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.
• At least one week before Red Ribbon Week send home a copy of your schools Red Ribbon Agenda, together with the Kiki Camarena Story.  Let parents know what is happening at your school so that they may be supportive and involved.
• Send home flyers that promote community based activities planned for Red Ribbon Week (and throughout the year) so that the students from your school may have an opportunity to participate in them.
• A week before Red Ribbon, give your teachers a packet of information regarding your planned Red Ribbon Week activities.  Include the Kiki Camarena Story, a copy of your schools agenda, and any information they will need to support what is going on.

• If you create a promotional flyer or brochure about an upcoming Red Ribbon Week activity, you could easily include information about various drugs or even the Kiki Camarena Story and Red Ribbon Pledge.
• If you are concerned about underage drinking, then include information about the dangers of Binge Drinking, how to identify symptoms of alcohol poisoning and why it is important to call for emergency services.
• Another idea would be to ask local businesses to disseminate educational information in their monthly billing to clients.
• Ask the principal to include articles about alcohol, tobacco, other drug and violence prevention topics in his/her parent newsletter throughout the year.
• Ask students on your committee to research the negative consequences of various drugs and then write an article about what they learned for your school newspaper.
• Homeowner's associations, apartment communities and other residential areas have newsletters.  They could easily disseminate prevention education information to some of your families.

Six Primary Prevention Strategies

Next: Strategy 2: Education