Equipping students with the knowledge they need to make
drug-free choices.
Approximately 1 in every 15 Oklahoma teens (ages 12–17) reports using an illicit drug each month—about 20,000 young people statewide. Another staggering number is that 6.2% of Oklahoma youth ages 12–17 used marijuana in the past month. Thousands are or will become addicted. Many will end up in dangerous situations, incarcerated, in rehab, or victims of an overdose. The statistics are heartbreaking and affect families, schools, and communities across our state.
At KEY Choices, we know that youth who understand the science of drug use and addiction can make informed, better choices.
So we’re teaching them.
For too many teens across Oklahoma, choosing whether to use substances is a fact of life.
SCIENCE-RICH, FACT-BASED SUBSTANCE-USE PREVENTION EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS
In just 5 classroom sessions, we teach students in grades 6-12:
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The science to teach how addiction occurs in the brain.
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How to find our spark: what naturally causes a release of endorphins.
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The effects of alcohol in the developing brain.
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The risks & effects
of vaping and nicotine -
Marijuana and the adolescent brain
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The dangers of fentanyl
& counterfeit pills
No longer is “Just say no” enough.
We empower them to make informed, healthier choices for themselves.
Just say Know
How we’re different…
We believe “Just say no” is outdated and have replaced the slogan with “Just say KNOW.” We know the stresses and pressures they’re experiencing leave them vulnerable to substance use, so we equip them with the facts they need to make healthier choices, along with some positive ideas for coping.
We are an educator-run organization with a science-based, fact-driven curriculum focusing on opioids, marijuana, vaping, and alcohol. Our opioid curriculum is customized to address the needs and circumstances facing Oklahoma youth, including fentanyl. Our approach to marijuana centers on its effects on the adolescent brain. We discuss the risks of vaping, including nicotine and the contents in the vape. In 2026, we included alcohol education and its lasting effects on the adolescent brain.
Our Oklahoma-certified teachers have decades of classroom experience and are trained to guide students through this vital information.
We want KEY Choices to be accessible to every school in Oklahoma, so we work with sponsors to help cover the program's costs.
With KEY Choices, you can play a role in changing
Oklahoma’s drug statistics.
Bring us to your school.
If you’re a school administrator, you can bring KEY Choices to your school/district at no cost by contacting us.
Teach with us.
Interested in becoming a KEY Choices educator? Visit our Employment page to learn more.
Partner with us.
Here is your opportunity to reach many youth by donating to help fund KEY Choices in schools across Oklahoma!
“In my over 40 years of working with children, I have seen the heartbreaking effects of addiction. I am convinced that none of us is untouched by the fallout from substance abuse…whether within our families, our workplaces, schools, or local communities. As an educator, I have seen that knowledge is power. Youth are empowered not just by understanding that substance use is dangerous, but more by understanding the ‘why’ behind that danger, and how their physical bodies work and are impacted by drugs, nicotine, and alcohol.
Statistics indicate that when we tell students the truth about how our minds work and how our bodies respond to our mental triggers, it can change their futures. I’ve seen it time and time again: Good information leads to better choices.
With that in mind, I founded KEY Choices to inform as many students as possible about the science of addiction, the dangers of saying yes to illicit drug use, and how it will affect their bodies. With stellar teachers and a strong board of directors, we are on a mission to empower students to make healthy, drug-free choices by equipping them with the science and facts they need. Whether you’re a school administrator, an educator, or a supporter of our work in schools, you can help us save lives!
Contact me to learn more about our work and how you can make an impact.
-Cathy Crawford