Early Risers: Skills for Success

Ages: 6-10

Contact: Gerald J. August
University of Minnesota
F256/2B West
2450 Riverside Avenue
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55454-1495
Phone: (612) 273-9711, Fax: (612) 273-9779

Early Risers is a high-risk, high intensity competence enhancement program that targets children who are at heightened risk for the early development of conduct problems including use and abuse of drugs. High-risk is indicated by the early onset of aggressive and disruptive behavior. These "early starters" not only inflict harm on themselves and society but they also serve as magnets, drawing in their peers who covet their seemingly adult substance use behavior. Early Risers is based on the premise that early, comprehensive, and sustained intervention is necessary to target multiple risk and protective factors, with the goal of moving high-risk children onto a more adaptive developmental pathway. This goal is achieved by promoting competence in the child via self-regulation, positive peer affiliations, a positive attitude to learning, and promoting competence in the parents in their capacity to support and nurture their child's development. Enhanced competence paves the way for the development of positive self image, independent decisionmaking, healthy problem solving, assertive communication, and constructive coping. Once acquired, these attributes and skills collectively enable youth to resist personal and social forces, which conspire to encourage early drug experimentation and potential abuse and dependency..

Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, Model Program, )PDF), 2001