Tobacco & Alcohol Use Prevention for Children

This application involved the development of an interactive, multimedia program called Gopp’s Galaxy, a tobacco and alcohol use prevention tool for K-2 children. The need for this product arises from the continuing trends toward increased tobacco and alcohol use in adolescents, despite the availability of prevention programming in the later elementary grades. Prevention experts suggest that prevention programs need to begin as early as kindergarten. To address this need, Gopp’s Galaxy combines state-of-the-art tobacco and alcohol use prevention guidelines, developmental research, and advances in multimedia technology to develop a practical tool for improving substance use prevention and social competence skills in young children. The program is delivered through an engaging animation format for children between the ages of 6-8, and includes class and take-home activities.