A Proven Method
In 1992, The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA*) at Columbia University created the program model for CASASTARTsm and set this bold new program into motion. Our vision—then and now—is to target children between the ages of 8-13 to keep them in school, off of drugs and alcohol, and out of trouble with the law. The program's rigorous evaluation shows that youth in CASASTARTsm are more likely to be promoted to the next grade, less likely to use or sell drugs, less likely to be involved in violent behavior and less likely to associate with or be influenced by delinquent or ant-social peers. These results led to CASASTARTsm being designated an Exemplary Program for Safe, Disciplined and Drug-Free Schools by the U.S. Department of Education, and a Model Program by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.