Nurse Luann Forsyth told the Craven County Board of Education that the district will implement the Too Good for Drugs curriculum this school year, funded by opioid settlement dollars and introduced as an information item at the board’s work session. "Too Good for Drugs is a curriculum, a research based, evidence supported program that will equip our students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to make healthy choices," Forsyth said. The district will begin training this week and roll out the program immediately in grades 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9.

The presentation said the three‑year sustainability plan and first‑year training and materials totalled more than $61,000. Forsyth said the first year includes training for certified health and physical education teachers and materials for students; the program is a 10‑week curriculum. The district benchmarked Wilson and Duplin counties, which have used the program for several years and reported outcomes data to the Craven staff.

The nut graf: the district presented the curriculum as an evidence‑based prevention program funded by opioid settlement money, with an initial targeted implementation and a plan to train internal trainers in year two to sustain the work.

Implementation details provided to the board included a train‑the‑trainer approach in the second year, a seven‑hour trainer session to be held in the boardroom this week, and alignment to North Carolina Health Education Standards. Caitlin Godley, identified as the county opioid program manager, joined Forsyth and was listed as a contact for funding questions. Forsyth said the program is developmentally appropriate for grades K–12 and "builds sequentially each year to reinforce core competencies, goal setting, decision making, effective communication, emotional regulation, and peer resistant strategies." The district will begin with the specified grade levels this fall and expand training and materials in subsequent years.

Board members who spoke praised the work: Miss Stacy thanked Forsyth for the multi‑year effort and noted partners on the opioid task force; Miss Gitsinger described it as "a really good day" and emphasized the importance of age‑appropriate implementation even in kindergarten. Forsyth explicitly stated the funding source: "the funding actually does come from the opioid settlement funds, correct?" and the reply in the record was "That's correct."

Because the presentation was informational, no formal board action was required or taken. Questions from the board focused on implementation, training timing, and how the district will sustain the curriculum through a train‑the‑trainer model.

The board will receive associated training this week and staff stated they will report back as implementation proceeds.