Helping Schools Prevent Youth Substance Misuse

Many students face complex choices around substances without
the information they need. At East West, we aim to strengthen their decision-making through data, science, and powerful storytelling

SERVICES
CONTACT

What Makes Us Unique?

East West is guided by the idea of balance.
Our approach centers around 3 pillars:

  • Surveys and assessments to identify local risks and protections

  • Evidence-based frameworks like Social Norms Theory

Data &
Science

  • Real stories about substance misuse and recovery to challenge teen myths

  • Balanced storytelling to foster empathy, not fear

Lived
Experience

  • Region-specific content based on local laws, customs, culture

  • Bilingual services to engage families and bridge understanding

Cultural
Awareness

We use 6 tools, from the personal to the institutional level, to build a whole-school prevention ecosystem:

What are the Services?

  • The WISH Survey(Wellbeing, Influences, Substance Use, and Habits) is a 40-question student wellbeing survey designed for international schools and developed with input from public health experts.

    Modeled after leading U.S. student health surveys, it helps schools better understand students’ experiences, attitudes, and decision-making related to alcohol, nicotine, and other substances.

    The survey also explores:

    • Mental health and wellbeing

    • School climate and peer influences

    • Home environment and family communication

    • Sleep, technology use, and daily habits

    These insights help schools identify patterns, strengthen prevention efforts, and support informed school decisions.

    Schools receive:

    • An interactive dashboard with summary data in clear graphs and tables

    • A written report with key findings and practical recommendations

    Available in:
    English • Chinese • Korean

  • Grounded in science and brought to life through storytelling, students explore topics such as:

    1. The Teen Brain & Addiction
      Why the teenage brain is especially sensitive to rewards—and how habits form. Students learn how dopamine shapes behavior and why addiction can develop.

    2. The Power of Influence
      How peers, media, and social environments affect decision-making, and how students can recognize and respond to pressure.

    3. Healthy Coping Skills
      Practical strategies for managing stress and emotions, including mindfulness, reframing, and emotional regulation.

    4. How to Help a Friend
      How to recognize warning signs and support peers with empathy, while knowing when to seek help.

  • Social Norms Leadership
    Equip student leaders with the skills to understand and apply the Social Norms Approach—learning how misperceptions influence behavior and how to shift them effectively.

    Lead with Purpose
    Train students in active listening, persuasive communication, and data storytelling to correct false norms and promote healthier choices among peers.

  • Family Workshops
    Learn what teens are really saying in workshops—and how to turn that insight into meaningful conversations at home. We cover brain development, risk factors, and how to support confident, healthy decision-making.

    Available in English & Chinese

  • Info Sessions
    Explore current trends, warning signs, and everyday ways to support students more effectively.

    Guided Group Discussions
    A collaborative space to review your school’s prevention policies and clarify staff roles.

  • Policy Review
    Ensure school policies balance discipline with restorative, health-based approaches.

    Early Intervention Systems
    Strengthen early response with tools like Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment, in close partnership with your counseling team.


How do we work together?

Through 5 stages of collaboration:

We learn your school’s culture and needs through interviews and data collection.

We design a customized plan aligned with your timeline and budget.

We bring the plan to life, running the agreed upon programs and training.

We measure progress using quantitative and qualitative data from student feedback.

We define next prevention steps and provide ongoing support and guidance.

What do past clients have to say?

  • “Grounded in student survey data and deep school experience, Diana delivers engaging prevention and wellbeing sessions that resonate with students. Her work sparked meaningful conversations that continued well beyond her visit. We highly recommend her to international schools.

    Amy Valerio
    Shanghai Community International School

  • "The workshop offers relevant, timely, research-backed content. Diana’s genuine openness, knowledge, and ease in sharing personal stories create an atmosphere where audiences feel comfortable — and willing to listen and learn."

    Rachel George
    Western Academy of Beijing

  • “Diana motivates and educates audiences in equal measure, stirring deep emotion while remaining humorous and engaging — and leaving people feeling optimistic even when addressing the most challenging topics.”

    Mike Jones
    BritCham Education Working Group

  • “Diana connects with students through authentic storytelling and exceptional public speaking. Her presentations are relatable, evidence-informed, and deeply impactful.”

    Chris Loomis
    Farmington High School

  • "Diana leads and facilitates empathetic, well-informed programs that educate and empower. Her warmth, kindness, and personal approach captivate both students and parents, fostering a genuine sense of trust and safety.”

    Jamie O’Hara Laurens
    Lycée Français New York

  • “Diana has a remarkable ability to create safe, supportive, and engaging spaces where students feel heard and empowered to ask difficult questions and share openly.”

    Brooks Eleck
    The Rippowam School

  • “Diana's approach resonated deeply with our students, empowering them to make informed and thoughtful decisions as they transitioned to the next stage of their education.”

    Delilah Lora-Arez
    The Cathedral School

Meet Diana

Hi, I’m Diana McDowell and this work is personal.

Over the past decade, I’ve partnered with 60+ schools across five continents, beginning with Freedom from Chemical Dependency (now part of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation). But my connection to prevention goes far deeper than a resume.

I was born to hardworking, immigrant parents (an engineer and a professor) and on paper, I had every advantage. But like some high-achieving kids, I struggled quietly and made painful mistakes before finding my way. That lived experience now shapes everything I do.

I founded East West Prevention, to help students make safer, healthier choices before things go wrong. Blending personal insight with an MPA from Tsinghua University, I created a program that’s practical, research-based, and rooted in heart.

Let’s get to work.

Email us for a free consultation

hello@eastwestprevention.com