Vision and Mission
Our vision is that all children have the opportunity to learn the skills necessary to refuse alcohol, tobacco and drugs so that each young person can achieve their fullest potential in life. Our mission is to use music and the arts in a persuasive way to reach the hearts and minds of kids to help them make positive, healthy life choices.

Rock In Prevention (RIP) trains local high school mentors that, with Rock In Prevention staff, teach younger local elementary and middle school children to refuse alcohol, tobacco and drugs.

There is a spirit of caring that is created by Rock In Prevention practices that transforms all participants involved. Rock In Prevention also teaches life coping skills, violence prevention and character education.

Need
Substance abuse prevention funding is largely based on a per capita / per student basis. Rural schools and communities are thus underserved as a result and do not have the adequate financial or human resources to provide effective, innovative drug prevention programming.

In Iowa, 82% of children who drink, binge drink and 36% of the 11th graders reported binge drinking in the last thirty days, (source, Iowa Youth Survey 2002.) This illegal use of alcohol, tobacco and other gateway drugs threatens rural vitality.

The use of alcohol, marijuana and meth causes devastating physical, emotional and mental health problems in young people, their families and the greater community.

High school students are an under-utilized, effective resource in combating drug abuse. Rock In Prevention rural groups frequently train FFA, 4-H and National Honor Society groups to facilitate programs for younger local kids.

Rock In Prevention annually attends and markets services to local FFA groups at the National FFA Convention. FFA members have frequently been involved as co-facilitators in local Rock In Prevention programs that help prevent drug use, abuse and addiction.

Background
Rock In Prevention, Rocks Rural America! is a unique, delivery service system that takes training and materials to underserved rural communities. We are mobile! These communities often do not have the necessary financial and human resources to provide effective, innovative health promotion programs.

Rock In Prevention staff drives company vans with all the necessary equipment and program materials to the local community. Our staff trains the local high school role models to co-facilitate the age-appropriate workshops.

A Rock In Prevention tool kit is then provided to the school contact. This tool kit contains teacher and student evaluations, age-appropriate classroom follow-up guides and family follow-up materials. The school contact person then trains the teachers how to conduct the five weeks of comprehensive program reinforcement.

Rock In Prevention mobilizes many facets of the community in this exciting and effective local prevention effort. High school role models, community school districts, local sponsors, broadcast and print media are all invited to attend and participate.

Research
Iowa State University, Institute For Social and Behavioral Research has completed a multi-year research study on Rock In Prevention’s effectiveness. Rock In Prevention was found to be effective in reducing substance use in comparison with the control group. The Executive Summary can be found at www.rockinprevention.org.

Charitable Contributions
Rock In Prevention is a 501 C 3 organization. Your company and/or individual contribution is tax-deductible. Your company will be positively recognized for sustaining rural vitality in the targeted communities where you do business.

Contact: Pat McManus, Executive Director, Rock In Prevention
Address: 7628 Hickman Rd., Des Moines, IA. 50322.
Phone: 515 255-0635
E-mail: pat.mcmanus@rockinprevention.org