WHAT IS DECYDE?
DECYDE (Drug Education Centered on Youth Empowerment) is a drug education and awareness strategy created by an interdisciplinary research team at Memorial University.
Mission
To equip youth with knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about substance use. To foster resilience, reduce harm, and promote well-being through evidence-based, trauma-informed prevention and harm reduction education in collaboration with schools, families, and communities.
Vision
To empower youth to make safe and informed choices regarding their mental and substance use health.
DECYDE Foundational Principles
Evidence-Informed
The evidence presented in the DECYDE strategy and materials are balanced, unbiased, and draws on the best available research evidence.
Trauma-Informed Practices
Trauma Informed Practices (TIPs) is a strengths-based approach grounded in an understanding of the impact of trauma and creates opportunities to rebuild a sense of control and empowerment
Prevention & Harm Reduction
Primary prevention aims to delay substance use by enhancing protective factors. Harm reduction aims to provide people with knowledge to make safe and informed choices and reduce the negative consequences associated with drug use.
Skills-Based Health Education:
Skills-Based Health Education (SBHE) is a learning approach implemented through various perspectives and methods to support the development of skills and attitudes to enhance well-being.
DECYDE Resources
Lesson
Plans
Comprehensive lesson plans for students in grades 4-12, that follow the Newfoundland and Labrador school curriculum outcomes for mental health and substance use.
Educational Materials
Evidence-based educational materials that support DECYDE lesson plans by providing clear, practical information on mental health, substance use, and safer decision-making.
Substance Snapshots
Offer brief overviews of different substances, their uses, potential effects, and strategies for staying safe, including when to seek emergency help.
Lesson
Plans
Comprehensive lesson plans for students in grades 4-12, that follow the Newfoundland and Labrador school curriculum outcomes for mental health and substance use.
Educational Materials
Evidence-based educational materials that support DECYDE lesson plans by providing clear, practical information on mental health, substance use, and safer decision-making.
Substance Snapshots
Offer brief overviews of different substances, their uses, potential effects, and strategies for staying safe, including when to seek emergency help.
FACE Decision-Making Model
The FACE Decision-Making Model, created by DECYDE, is evidence-based and grounded in harm reduction and social-emotional learning. It is built into all DECYDE resources to help youth—and the adults who support them—develop the skills and confidence to make safer, more informed decisions around substance use and mental health.
