PADAPE Program - ATOD Education for Primary Students

The Saint Francis Hospital program named Preventing Alcohol and Drug Abuse through Primary Education (P.A.D.A.P.E.) operates based on the belief that it is essential that prevention efforts begin with the elementary school child and continue through adolescence. If prevention efforts are to succeed, it is critical for families and communities to create partnerships with their schools. 

The curriculum is research‐based and supported by a National Assessment of Student’s Needs for Preventing the Use of Drugs and by reputable research in drugs, drug use, and educational strategies. This curriculum focuses on the gateway drugs of alcohol, nicotine and marijuana, and delivers strong abstinence messages that aim to prevent students from using drugs, encourage students who use drugs to quit, and to promote messages against the use of drugs.

Lessons encourage healthy values, increase protective factors, and reduce risk factors that have been associated with drug use. The program incorporates a variety of age‐appropriate learning tools for each grade level, utilizing puppets, books, videos, games and role‐play.

For information please contact: Dr. Kenneth Oclatis at St. Francis Hospital 845-431-8283.