Botvin LifeSkills Training Elementary

Practice Summary

Botvin LifeSkills Training (LST) Elementary is a 24-session curriculum that introduces youth to foundational self-management, social, and drug-resistance skills. The program mainly consists of interactive activities that equip students with healthy decision-making and refusal skills. It is designed to be delivered directly by classroom teachers and easily integrated with existing elementary school social-emotional learning programs.

            Cost
            Over $500
        

            Prevention Category
            Universal Direct
        

            Practice Focus
            SU
        

            Practice Focus
            MH
        

Substance Use Prevention Category	Universal Direct
Practice Level	Individual Relationship
Substance Use Prevention Strategy	Education
Practice Components	Individual Assertiveness Training Cognitive Behavioral Strategies Goal Setting Problem Solving Psychoeducation Relaxation Self-Efficacy or Self-Esteem Enhancement Skills Training Relationship Peer Norm Development Community/Society None
Population Age	Age 6-12
Populations of Focus	General Population Hispanic or Latino
Settings	School (K-12)
Parent/Caregiver Involvement	No parent or caregiver involvement
Recommended Staffing	Community members Health or social work counselor, therapist or professional (licensed) Health or social work counselor, therapist or professional (unlicensed) Law enforcement Mentors Peers Prevention staff Teachers or educators
Prevention Focus	Substance Use Prevention Focus Substance Use - General Mental Health Wellness and Promotion Focus Behavioral and Conduct Disorders Mental Health - General
Training and Technical Assistance	Formal training is highly recommended to ensure program fidelity. The developer offers free implementation resources to support program planning, fidelity tracking, and identify potential funding opportunities. Staff also provide standard technical assistance, as well as more intensive and customized training and technical assistance for a fee.
Program Costs	Over $500. Please visit the developer's website listed above for updated information about implementation costs.
Adaptations	Please contact the developer for further information on adaptations of the Botvin LST Elementary program

Risk and Protective Factors

Youth Substance Use Risk and Protective Factors

Level	Risk Factors	Protective Factors
Individual	Conduct Disorder Early and persistent antisocial behavior Early initiation of substance use Favorable attitudes towards substance use Rebelliousness Negative emotional state Poor coping skills and behaviors	Positive social orientation (e.g. engaging in healthy activities, accepting rules and community values, positive social engagement) Emotional self-regulation High self-esteem Strong coping skills (e.g., problem-solving skills, ability to stand up for beliefs and values)
Family and Relationships	None	None
School, Peer, and Community	Accessibility or availability of substances Lack of plans or ambitions for the future Norms favorable towards substance use Substance use among peers	Positive social norms

Youth Mental Health Risk and Protective Factors

Level	Risk Factors	Protective Factors
Individual	Low self-esteem Negative emotional state Poor coping skills and behaviors	Emotional self-regulation High self-esteem Strong coping skills (e.g., problem-solving skills, ability to stand up for beliefs and values)
Family and Relationships	None	None
School, Peer, and Community	Aggression towards peers School violence Norms favorable towards substance use Substance use among peers	Ability to make friends and get along well with others Clear expectations for behavior Positive social norms

Shared Substance Use and Mental Health Risk and Protective Factors

Level	Risk Factors	Protective Factors
Individual	Negative emotional state Poor coping skills and behaviors	Emotional self-regulation High self-esteem Strong coping skills (e.g., problem-solving skills, ability to stand up for beliefs and values)
Family and Relationships	None	None
School, Peer, and Community	Norms favorable towards substance use Substance use among peers	Positive social norms

Empirical Evidence of Impact

Prevention Focus	Outcome	Population Age	Evidence Strength and Study Populations of Focus
Alcohol	Reduced Use or Delayed Initiation	Elementary School	Moderate (General Population)¹
Tobacco	Reduced Use or Delayed Initiation	Elementary School	Moderate (General Population)¹
Substance Use (General)	Changes in Knowledge, Attitudes, or Beliefs	Elementary School	Moderate (General Population)¹
Mental Health (General)	Behavior, Attitudes, and Functioning	Elementary School	Promising (General Population)²

References

¹ Botvin, G. J., Griffin, K. W., Paul, E., & Macaulay, A. P. (2003). Preventing tobacco and alcohol use among elementary school students through life skills training. Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse, 12(4), 1-17.

² Satcher-Walker, C. (2025). A Qualitative Review of Therapists and Teachers Working in the Botvin Life Skills Training Elementary School Program (Doctoral dissertation, Liberty University).

What California Providers Are Saying

We have not yet spoken to any California providers who have experience implementing Botvin LST Elementary. If you have implemented it, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us.