According to the Center for Disease Control, 14.4% of Kentucky children had their first drink of alcohol before age 13 and 6.1% of Kentucky children tried marijuana for the first time before age 13. Additionally, 11.9 % of high school students currently use marijuana. As substance abuse continues to devastate our communities, the Family Consumer Science agent provided Life Skills Training to 6^th graders in the county. The Botvin Life Skills training is an evidence based prevention program for schools, families and communities.

The Family Consumer Science Agent collaborated with Memorial Elementary School counselor to provide the Life Skills program by Gilbert Botvin to the 6th graders. The Life Skills program was developed to be presented to 6th graders. The Memorial School counselor and the FCS agent worked together to ensure each student received the training. 

After the program, the students participated in an evaluation. 100% of the students were able to list multiple reasons not to vape, smoke, drink alcohol or use marijuana. 100% of students stated they learned some techniques to reduce stress and anxiety and ways to cope with anger. 97% of participants identified skills to resolve conflicts. 94% of the students stated they learned how to set a personal goal and record their progress.