If you are looking for information and guidance about alcohol and other drug use by teens and drug education in schools, then you’ve have come to the right place.  I keep parents and schools informed about the latest emerging drug trends (see my recent appearances on NBC’s The Today Show and ABC’s The View) and provide speaking, consulting, and training services to secondary schools and colleges.   I help schools design, revitalize, and sustain effective evidence-based and theory-driven alcohol and other drug education programs that work!

What Schools and Parents Are Saying About Jeff Wolfsberg

“Jeff is probably one of the most dynamic and effective speaker and consultant I’ve seen in my twenty years working in education.  Simply put, if you are not working with Jeff, you are not working with best.”

Ben, Head of the Upper School

“I want to thank you so much for the education you given my daughter, Leah.  I truly believe she has listened to every word you’ve said since the 9th grade when you first starting seeing her.  She’s off to college now, and again your presentation to the seniors had a huge impact on her.”

Terry – Parent Sturgis Public Charter School, Hyannis, MA

“Thank you so much for working with our students.  I have a great deal of appreciation for the work you do, as do our parents and teachers.  Most importantly, though, our students find you approachable, knowledgeable and helpful.”

Mike,  MS Head, TN

“Thanks Jeff. You were a major influence and I am proud that you helped me steer in the right direction”

Kyle – Senior – Sturgis Public Charter School

Jeff Wolfsberg and Associates, Inc. is a privately owned consulting firm that partners with independent, international, and public secondary schools,  colleges, and universities to help design and implement evidence-based and theory-driven alcohol and drug educational programs.  Our integrative approach to alcohol and other drug education utilizes the three prevailing theories in alcohol and drug education science: (1) Risk and Protective Factors; (2) Developmental Assets, and (3) The Resiliency Model.

“Our work responds to the increased need and awareness that the solutions for our social problems rest, not only with a few people at the top of the school, but more often than not, in taking a ‘whole systems’ or ‘joined up’ perspective and engaging the collective intelligence and resources present in the whole community – including students.”

Alcohol and Drug Education Program

Alcohol and other drug prevention work is more than random good acts done with the hope of touching “just one person.”  Alcohol and drug education is more than slogans, scary media messages, or recovering addicts and alcoholics telling their story.  Addressing substance use and promoting healthy lifestyle  habits begins with early childhood education, continues through high school and across the life-span.  We believe compassionate pragmatism instead of moralistic idealism should be what alcohol and other drug education programs in high schools should be about with an emphasis on supporting and encouraging non-use.

The research and our professional experience informs us that an effective alcohol and drug education prevention strategy is better understood not as a single approach, but rather a portfolio of approaches to reduce the harms associated with substance use and promote healthy behaviors.  A single approach to alcohol and drug education cannot meet the norms of every school community or the needs of every student.

Adolescent substance use is a complex social problem requiring systems change initiatives and committed individuals.  Systems need to move beyond “quick and easy” - schools and communities are encouraged to build multi-dimensional programs with elements of sustainability and collaboration.  The essence of our consulting approach is to assist schools in focusing on “what matters and what is worthy” rather than jumping too quickly to the “how” of programming and policy development.  Our instruction strives to create environments which foster natural engagement, encourage participation and exploration, and in the end lead to simplicity, clarity, and meaning.

A well conceived, comprehensive alcohol and other drug prevention strategy is a major undertaking, and one which requires substantive commitment by all stakeholders to its planning, implementation, and sustenance.

Our definition of “Prevention”   Any program, attitude, behavior, activity or approach that attempts to support and encourage those students choosing not to drink, aims to reduce the negative impact of drinking and other drug use by teens, and aims to reduce the frequency and amount of drinking by teens. 

Our Extensive Network of Resources

People,  Networks, Facilities, etc.. We work collaboratively with an extensive network of amazing people and organizations.  We realize we can’t do everything for you, but you can rely on us to connect you to the best and proven experts in their fields.  You don’t have to sift and guess about who to work with when it comes to a myriad of issues facing school communities and organizations.

Our Consultation and Partnership With Schools Does:

• First and foremost – we deliver the students an outstanding educational experience!
• We help mobilizes and engage members of the community in positive youth development.  We help communities discover what’s important to them when it comes to the topics of teen drinking, drug use, and mental health issues – we help communities see what is happening (current reality) and what is possible (aspiration!).
• We support you to fight back against the cynicism and resignation that can overwhelm us when thinking about teens and our culture’s emphasis on substance use and abuse.
• We help communities develop a data-driven profile (additional cost) of the school’s risks, strengths and institutional obstacles.  We can then establish action priorities based on the data.
• Helps schools act on their values and focus on “what matters and what is worthy”.