Botvin’s Life Skills Training

The Botvin LifeSkills Training (LST) Middle School program is a groundbreaking substance abuse and violence prevention program based on more than 35 years of rigorous scientific research. Proven to be the most effective evidence-based program used in schools today, LifeSkills Training is comprehensive, dynamic, and developmentally designed to promote mental health and positive youth development. In addition to helping kids resist drug, alcohol, and tobacco use, the LifeSkills Training Middle School program also effectively supports the reduction of violence and other high-risk behaviors.

The Botvin LifeSkills Training (LST) High School program is a highly interactive, skills-based program designed to promote positive health and personal development for youth in grades 9 or 10. A study in the World Journal of Preventative Medicine found that this program cuts drug abuse in half by helping adolescents navigate the challenges of their high school years and preparing them for the independence and responsibilities that they will encounter as young adults. The LST High School program uses developmentally appropriate, collaborative learning strategies to help students achieve competency in the skills that have been shown to prevent substance use, violence, and other health risk behaviors. LifeSkills Training is comprehensive, dynamic, and developmentally designed to promote mental health, social-emotional (SEL) skills and positive youth development.