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 Student Survey
A 40-question instrument designed for international school students, developed in collaboration with public health and addiction experts.

Modeled after the U.S. Monitoring the Future study, it asks thoughtful, age-appropriate questions about substance use and perceptions, daily habits, school culture, and family communication — giving schools clear, research-grounded insights into how their students are really doing.

Available in English, Chinese and Korean, the WISH Survey ensures as many student voices as possible are captured clearly and accurately.
Assemblies
Dynamic, relatable talks that debunk common myths and equip students with practical tools they can use right away.
Student Intensives
Interactive small-group workshops that explore substance science, peer pressure, early warning signs, and how to help a friend.
Full curriculum available upon request.
1:1 Student Drop-Ins
Private sessions for students to ask questions, explore concerns, and learn about quitting, harm reduction, or helping a peer.
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?

"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 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.