Workshop Description

This practical, exciting program focusing on school climate and substance abuse has received rave reviews from school counselors, teachers, parents and law enforcement officials. Speaker Tom Farrell bases his presentations on his experiences as a former high school athlete, teacher, coach, principal and current superintendent of schools. Farrell mixes a refreshing dedication to kids with his enthusiasm for addressing the local and national alcohol and drug crisis. You’ll be caught up in his positive attitude just as staff members at his own high schools or national audiences have been.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the elements of a successful, comprehensive drug abuse prevention program.
• Become familiar with current brain research in relation to alcohol and other drug abuse.
• Become acquainted with promising practices in drug and alcohol prevention programs.
• Learn measures to guide students through decisions about drugs and alcohol.
• Understand the concept of chemical dependency as a feeling disease.

Presenter

Tom Farrell, a former teacher, coach and principal, is currently a superintendent of schools in Kennebunk, Maine. He has devoted much of his career to a drug-free youth. Farrell has presented, taught and written many articles and curricula on substance abuse and has served on committees and boards across the United States. Farrell has studied at the Johnson Institute, several drug rehabilitation centers and at numerous colleges and universities. He has presented for the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. State Department and numerous state and local drug prevention agencies. Recently he participated on two panels for the Century Council, one that produced a high school senior version of the “Alcohol 101” CD and one that worked with Nickelodeon staff to write a guide for parents and middle school students on alcohol prevention.

Schedule: Full-day training; 0.6 CEUs available to attendees

Cost: $2,500 for full day