Health educators are pivotal in implementing comprehensive health education, serving as the backbone of effective drug use prevention efforts. Their role extends beyond merely delivering content; they are instrumental in adapting curricula to meet the specific needs of their students, ensuring that the material is both relevant and impactful. Health educators also play a crucial role in identifying emerging trends and issues, allowing them to adjust their teaching strategies and content to address the evolving challenges that students face. Additionally, they collaborate with school and community partners, fostering a supportive network that enhances the delivery of health education and ensures a holistic approach to student well-being. By actively engaging in these multifaceted responsibilities, health educators not only impart essential knowledge but also empower students to make informed decisions about their health and future.

Research indicates that teachers are significantly more effective in implementing a comprehensive health curriculum with fidelity when they have the full support of school administrators. This support can take various forms, such as ensuring access to dedicated health education professional development time, providing time for teachers to collaborate with their health coordinators, and actively promoting initiatives that prioritize health education, like the Michigan Profile for Healthy Youth survey. Administrators are crucial in shaping the school environment, setting priorities, and allocating resources that enable health educators to succeed. By championing health education and drug use prevention initiatives, administrators not only enhance the quality of instruction but also foster a school culture that values and prioritizes student health and well-being. Their leadership is vital in creating sustainable, school-wide efforts to promote healthy behaviors and prevent drug use among students.

Michigan's Regional School Health Coordinators are key implementation support practitioners who advance the needs of the whole child by providing leadership, training, technical assistance, and consultation on school health policies, programs, and practices. They work with every public, private, and charter school in Michigan, leveraging their unique expertise to support health-related efforts within broader educational and community contexts.

Health coordinators play a central role in whole child initiatives, ensuring that health interventions are integrated into the overall educational experience. They have been instrumental in innovating and deploying data-driven implementation strategies, particularly with the Michigan Model for Health curriculum, to improve health outcomes for children and youth across the state. By fostering collaborations with community partners and tailoring programs to meet diverse needs, they ensure that health programs are effectively adopted and sustained.

 State agencies like the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) play a vital role in supporting the implementation of health education in schools. They ensure that curricula, such as the Michigan Model for Health, are regularly updated to remain relevant and accessible to educators. These agencies also provide essential training opportunities for Regional School Health Coordinators, equipping them with the skills needed to effectively implement health programs. Additionally, MDHHS and MDE coordinate the necessary funding for curriculum development, training, and ongoing support. By enhancing the visibility of the importance of health education and promoting multi-tiered prevention and early intervention strategies, these state agencies contribute significantly to improving student success and well-being, embedding health education as a core component of the educational experience.

Community organizations, including local health departments, prevention coalitions, health systems, and community mental health agencies, can play a pivotal role in promoting drug use prevention in schools. These partnerships allow schools to leverage the expertise, resources, and networks of various stakeholders. For example, prevention coalitions can provide targeted programs and policy advocacy, while local health departments can offer data-driven insights and public health expertise. Health systems and community mental health agencies can contribute by delivering specialized services and integrating school-based prevention efforts with broader community health initiatives. By working together, these partners can develop and implement comprehensive strategies that address the unique needs of students and the community, enhancing the effectiveness of drug use prevention programs in schools.