Our Services

Own Your Path — Drug & Alcohol Safety Course

Engaging youth in self-evaluation and equipping them with the tools they need to make healthier choices about drugs and alcohol.

Own Your Path is a two-day, evidence-informed drug and alcohol safety program for middle and high school students. Delivered at VOA Alaska, the course helps students understand risks, practice safer decision-making, and get connected to support—so they can own their path.

Own Your Path — Drug & Alcohol Safety Course At-a-Glance

  • Who: Middle & High School Students
  • When: Two-day sessions, Mon–Tue or Thu–Fri, 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
  • Where: VOA Alaska, 2600 Cordova St., Suite 101, Anchorage
  • Format: Interactive lessons, activities, and discussion
  • Fee: $60 non-refundable registration (financial assistance available)
  • Certificate: Issued upon successful completion for school records

Questions?

Brian Pickett, Prevention Coordinator

Direct: 907-419-4750 | VOA Main: 907-265-1904

Email: bpickett@voaak.org

What Students Learn

  • Facts and myths about substances and their impact on health and learning
  • Skills to reduce harm and stay safer in real-life situations
  • Goal-setting and decision-making to support personal wellbeing
  • How to access school and community resources for ongoing support

Abstinence is promoted as the safest pathway. Harm-reduction strategies are also discussed to help students navigate risks if they encounter substances.

Schedule & Location

  • Sessions run 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. and start on time.
  • Arrivals 10+ minutes late count as an absence and will require rescheduling the full two-day course.
  • Students remain on-site for the duration; bring a lunch. Breaks are provided.
  • Closures: Own Your Path follows the ASD calendar for holidays, breaks, and weather closures.
  • Transit: ASD students ride the People Mover free with their current student ID. Nearest stop: Route 10 — Northern Lights & Cordova (People Mover: 907-343-6543)

Expectations & Conduct

To ensure a safe, positive learning space:

  • Be respectful of classmates, staff, and the facility.
  • Alcohol, vapes, and drugs are strictly prohibited. If a student appears under the influence, parents/guardians and police may be notified.
  • Food and drinks only in designated areas; help us keep the space clean.

Completion & Follow-Up

  • Students who meet attendance and participation guidelines receive a Certificate of Completion. Please store this with important records.
  • Students may be asked to complete brief, anonymous pre-/post-surveys and a voluntary follow-up survey at school 1–3 months later to help us improve the program.

How to Register (3 Easy Steps)

  1. Complete the forms (student registration, consent, and student contract).
  2. Submit paperwork & fee:
  • Email forms to bpickett@voaak.org, or
  • Bring forms and the $60 registration fee (cash—exact change, or check payable to VOA Alaska) on Day 1 (Monday or Thursday).
  • Need help with the fee? Let the instructor know—financial assistance is available.

3. Confirm dates with your VOA instructor or ASD referring administrator (if applicable).

Have special classroom needs or custody/guardianship details we should know? Please notify the VOA instructor in advance so we can support your student.

For ASD Administrators & Counselors

  • Use the Notice of Referral to indicate session selection (Mon–Tue or Thu–Fri) and provide referring AP contact info.
  • VOA will confirm enrollment and, upon completion, will indicate whether the student has/has not met program guidelines.

Privacy & Consent

  • With parent/guardian consent, VOA may collect site-specific, de-identified data for program evaluation.
  • Records related to drug/alcohol education are protected under federal regulations and are not released without written consent.
  • Consents may be revoked at any time and otherwise expire in six months unless a different date is specified.