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Keep a Clear Mind (KACM)

Keep a Clear Mind (KACM) is an evidence-based prevention program that utilizes homework assignments to facilitate communication between students and parents. Topics include alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and tools to resist them. It is offered to Grades 4, 5 or 6 (5 sessions).

KACM lessons are based on a social skills training model and designed to help children develop specific skills to refuse and avoid the use of "gateway" drugs. This unique, early intervention program has been shown to positively influence known risk factors for later substance abuse.

Target Population

KACM is designed for upper-elementary-school students and their families. The program has been rigorously evaluated in field tests involving students in grades four through six and their parents.

Benefits

  • Increases student ability to resist peer pressure to use tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana.
  • Increases student recognition of the harmful effects of tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana.
  • Helps students identify and choose positive alternatives to substance abuse.
  • Decreases students’ actual use of tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana.
  • Helps parents become effective drug educators.
  • Increases parent-child communication about substance abuse.

How It Works

KACM consists of:

  • Five sessions: One introductory session and four take-home lessons on tobacco, alcohol, marijuana and drug refusal.
  • Five parent newsletters.
  • Student incentives.

Four weekly lessons are sent home with the student, preferably on Monday. Lessons include a feedback sheet for parents to indicate that the lesson for that week has been completed, which is to be returned at the end of each week. Students returning the parent-signed sheet receive a small incentive such as a KACM bookmark, bumper sticker, or pencil. Students receive these incentives for completing the lesson, not for how well they score. Some schools use additional incentives for scoring well on the lessons. Biweekly parent newsletters are sent home with students for 10 weeks, beginning immediately after completion of the four take-home lessons.

Implementation Essentials

The program is usually conducted over the course of five weeks during a school year.

Successful replication of KACM involves:

  • Recruiting fourth, fifth, and/or sixth grade students to participate in the program.
  • Recruiting a program facilitator (e.g., classroom teacher, counselor, etc.)
  • Delivering lessons and newsletters, and monitoring the implementation of take-home lessons.
  • Conducting pre- and post-program outcome data collection to measure program effects.

Rate (Grade 4, 5 or 6 – 5 sessions): $250/class

Plus consumable materials and incentives: $5.00/student