Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD’s Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors (LCDCs) kicked off their annual drug awareness campaign this week at Perry Middle School. This series of presentations focuses on promoting student well-being through lessons on mental health, healthy decision-making, and the dangers of substance use.

Offered annually to all secondary campuses, the program will expand in spring 2025 to include fourth- and fifth-grade students.

This year, counselors are educating students about the risks of specific substances such as nicotine, marijuana, alcohol, and fentanyl, highlighting their harmful effects on both the body and brain. The presentation also explores the real-life consequences of drug use and the importance of seeking support when needed.

“We want our students to know that staying quiet about drug use and how it affects your body, mind, and life doesn't help—it only makes things harder,” said counselor Heidi Whitehill. “Providing these yearly presentations allows students to recall what they’ve learned and recognize counselors as a source of support whenever they might be struggling.”

From now through December, the LCDCs will visit all participating secondary campuses across the district, with upcoming presentations scheduled at Bush Middle School, Blalack Middle School, Ranchview High School, and Early College High School.

The CFBISD Counseling Department uses Red Ribbon Week as a focal point for drug awareness. In addition to the LCDC presentations, the department supports several ongoing initiatives, including family engagement nights—where campuses and counselors encourage open conversations between students and parents—and advisory sessions focused on continued education. The department also maintains a Drug Prevention and Intervention webpage to provide ongoing information and resources.

“It all starts with one choice,” Whitehill emphasized. “We hope students will take this information to heart, make healthy decisions, and understand the lasting consequences of substance use.”