Chemical health

Promoting and supporting chemical health is an important component to achieving success both personally and academically. Studies have shown that substance use of any kind can be detrimental to the personal, academic and social development of a young person. Drug use at an early age is an important predictor of the development of a substance use disorder later. To combat this problem and to help our students avoid the negative outcomes of substance use, Anoka-Hennepin has three licensed chemical health prevention specialists to provide chemical health support to students, families and staff, ensuring that our students have the opportunity to be educated around the negative effects of substance use and to help students make better-informed decisions when it comes to their overall well being. 

Services include, but are not limited to:

• Crisis management.
• Screening.
• Assessment.
• Individual and group support.
• Professional development training for school staff.
• Consultation for parents/staff. 

Prevention works best when attention is given to multiple risk and protective factors and when support and education are available. The Anoka-Hennepin School District believes that by promoting and supporting chemical health prevention, we help ensure that our students have every opportunity to be successful both personally and academically.

For more information regarding chemical health prevention, or being a part of the chemical health advisory committee, please contact Josh VanHeuveln, at 763-506-1168 (joshua.vanheuveln@ahschools.us) or Rebecca Velline at 763-506-1145 (rebecca.velline@ahschools.us).

Chemical Health Prevention Specialist