Huntsville schools partner with nonprofit for vaping and substance‑prevention curriculum for grades 6–12

Huntsville City Schools introduced a new collaboration with Partnership for a Drug Free Community to expand drug, alcohol and tobacco prevention programming across district secondary schools.

Leanne Brown, the district's counseling services coordinator, said the district has created a drug task force and will embed a "Love Your Life" prevention curriculum in guidance classes for grades 6–12, starting in January with a focus on vaping and later addressing alcohol and fentanyl. The district will partner with community agencies and use videos and medical professional input; Brown said the district will provide monthly materials to principals and circulate flyers to parents.

Jacqueline Carter, program manager for the Partnership for a Drug Free Community, described the nonprofit's free referral hub for treatment resources and its school programs, including a 35–45 minute tobacco and vaping prevention presentation that can include pre‑ and post‑tests (available with principal and superintendent permission under the Alabama Department of Public Health grant that funds the program).

Board members asked whether parents could opt students out; Brown said the embedded large‑group guidance presentation is not structured for opt‑out, though surveys or small‑group interventions would allow opt‑outs. Members also asked about guest speakers with lived experience; presenters said such speakers can be included through the program's resource hub and referral network.

"We're coming with open arms, and we're coming with support," Jacqueline Carter said, describing the nonprofit's role in education, prevention and referral.