Youth Prevention Programs

K.O.D. (Kids Off Drugs) is a high-energy, school-based initiative that helps youth and young adults avoid or reduce substance use. The program helps young people learn about the history of drugs in Baltimore and the cultural norms that lead to substance use. Inspired by the Grammy Award-winning rapper J-Cole and his album "K.O.D. (Kids On Drugs)," our program integrates Hip-Hop and Baltimore culture—including language, arts, and history—into a social, cultural, and contextual framework for addressing substance use.

Through the use of Hip-Hop culture, interactive presentations, and performances by local celebrities, participants learn about:

• The effects of drugs
• Risky behaviors associated with substance use
• Skills for resisting and refusing substances
• Effective communication and negotiation
• The impact of history, race, and culture on substance use
• Building self-efficacy in prevention

Our activities foster a creative environment where young people can express themselves and share their experiences. We offer three exciting K.O.D. activities for schools:

• Juice and Paint
• Versuz Battle
• Tiny Desk

For more details about our program, please visit our K.O.D. website.