Arkansas Youth Drug-Use Reduction Program (AR-YDRP)

The Arkansas Youth Drug-Use Reduction Program (AR-YDRP) aims to prevent drug use among youth aged 9-20 within all Arkansas communities. The program partners with nationwide experts and collaborates with state agencies and officials to provide specialized curriculum and education to youth. Supported by the Office of National Drug Control Policy through Congressionally Directed Spending, AR-YDRP is committed to fostering healthy, drug-free lives for Arkansas youth.

Partnerships

AR-YDRP has established partnerships with two national prevention experts: D.A.R.E. and Prevention Strategies. These collaborations enable the program to leverage their expertise and resources to develop and implement effective drug prevention strategies for Arkansas youth.

D.A.R.E.

D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) is an officer-led series of classroom lessons that teach children from kindergarten through 12th grade how to resist peer pressure and live productive drug and violence-free lives. Under this contract, mentor officer training will be provided to existing D.A.R.E. officers in Arkansas, ensuring the program’s sustainability beyond the funding period. All expenses for trainers and trainees, including hotel, per-diem, travel, materials, and stipends, will be covered by D.A.R.E. America. Additionally, D.A.R.E. will provide ongoing support, fidelity monitoring, and curriculum enhancements specific to Arkansas as needed.

Contact Information

For more information or to apply to have a D.A.R.E. program, please contact:

Rafael Morales
D.A.R.E. Arkansas Project Director
Email: Rafael.Morales@dare.org

Prevention Strategies

Prevention Strategies from the University of North Carolina Greensboro will conduct a statewide needs assessment with focus groups to inform curriculum development and enhancements of the evidence-based All Stars Building Bright Futures Curriculum. These focus groups will ensure that the Arkansas-specific curriculum has grade-level content that is culturally and linguistically appropriate for the state. Prevention Strategies will also translate the enhanced curriculum into Spanish, including parent-facing materials and activities. Furthermore, they will provide technical assistance to Arkansas educators and law enforcement officers to build their capacity to continue training the selected curriculum.

All Stars in Arkansas: Training Flyer Download PDF

Join the All Stars in Arkansas Pilot Program: Download PDF

Contact Information

For more information about the AR-YDRP, please contact:

April Null
Arkansas Youth Drug Reduction Program Coordinator
Email: acnull@midsouth.ualr.edu
Phone: 501-891-2964

Why D.A.R.E. is Set Apart from Other Prevention Curricula

UNC Greensboro and Prevention Strategies Study on D.A.R.E. Curriculum : Download PDF

A three-year study confirms the D.A.R.E. keepin’ it REAL curriculum significantly reduces alcohol, cigarette, and vaping use among elementary students, with high engagement and effectiveness.

K-12 Opioid & OTC/Rx Drug Abuse Prevention Curricula : Download PDF

Brochure presentation educating parents on teen prescription and OTC drug misuse risks and prevention strategies

D.A.R.E. Officer Training (DOT) Announcement: Download PDF

A free, 80-hour CLEST-certified training for Arkansas law enforcement officers on June 9-20 or July 7-18, 2025, in Little Rock, covering all expenses.

D.A.R.E. Arkansas School Participation Agreement: Download DOCX

An agreement for schools and law enforcement to implement the D.A.R.E. program, targeting 5th-12th graders with drug resistance education by trained officers.

D.A.R.E. Arkansas Application for D.A.R.E. Officer Training: Download DOCX

A form for law enforcement officers to apply for D.A.R.E. training, detailing personal, agency, and commitment information for teaching drug resistance education.

Evidence-based substance use prevention programming for students in grades 4-12. Newly updated curriculum designed for Arkansas’s students and educators, available now!

Watch All Stars Video

View an introductory video that explains the All Stars program’s goals and impact on youth in Arkansas.

All Stars Arkansas Training Request (Google Form)

Use this form if your school district or community-based organization is interested in implementing All Stars Arkansas through the Arkansas Youth Drug Use Reduction Program grant.

General Information: Download PDF

An introduction to the GUIDE program, outlining its objectives and structure.

Expanded Information: Download PDF

A detailed guide providing in-depth information on the implementation and benefits of GUIDE.

Impact Report 2023-2024: Download PDF

Annual report showcasing the effectiveness and outcomes of the GUIDE program for the 2023-2024 period.

Information Slides: Download PowerPoint

Slides for training sessions or presentations on the GUIDE program.

GUIDE Testimonial

Angel Bowers, Director of Prevention Services at NCSU, shares her experiences and thoughts about GUIDE.

UA at Little Rock Report: Download PDF

Report on the GUIDE program’s implementation and impact at UA Little Rock.

GUIDE Interest Form

Interest and Information Seeking Form for GUIDE

Dispose Rx: Download PDF

Disposerx offers a simple, eco-friendly solution for safely disposing of unused medications at home by turning them into an unusable gel for household trash disposal.

DisposeRx Flyer: Download PDF

A guide highlighting the dangers of leftover medications and instructions for using DisposeRx to safely dispose of them at home, protecting families and communities.

DisposeRx Request Form

Request for the drug neutralizing agent DisposeRx

<center><h4 style="border-bottom: 2px solid #ddd;
                padding-bottom: 10px;
                margin-top: 30px;">Webinar Series</h4>
                <div class="video-clip">
                    <h5><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oVQRBUsKmdrUnL7pPz_21rkVeOrou1p4/preview" target="_blank">Marijuana Webinar</a></h5>
                    <p class="video-description">Ashley Frasier’s webinar covers marijuana trends, youth impacts, and prevention, focusing on a 2025 Arkansas drug education initiative.</p>
                </div>
                <div class="video-clip">
                    <h5><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/15clkkpaJ-87OJPWRHdT9KOy7ieUomN4A/preview" target="_blank">Vaping: Prevention Youth Substance Use.</a></h5>
                    <p class="video-description">Join us for a webinar led by prevention scientist Ashley Frazier exploring the risks of vaping and e-cigarette use.</p>
                </div></center>

Press Release

View UA Little Rock News Article

UA Little Rock Receives $5 Million to Combat Drug Use Among Arkansas Youth
Video Clips
View UA MidSouth Harm Reduction on YouTube

Avoid mixing alcohol with drugs; unknown pills can be deadly. Remember, it’s your body, your choice.

View UA MidSouth Self Advocacy on YouTube

Be cautious with pain management; prescribed opioids are addictive, and unknown drugs can be lethal. Your voice and choices matter.

View Peer Pressure on YouTube

Resist peer pressure with a go-to response like “Not today, I’ll grab my own plans” and support others by speaking up. Your voice matters.

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