​The PIE program from The Arc of Mississippi stands for Prevention Includes Everyone. It’s a pioneering initiative focused on addiction prevention and education for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), a group often overlooked in traditional substance abuse programs.

 

Here’s what makes PIE unique:

• It partners with the Mississippi Department of Mental Health to address addiction risks in the IDD community.

• It delivers whole-school assemblies using immersive tools like drunk goggles, mock car crashes, and even helicopters to engage students of all abilities.

• It emphasizes inclusion, empathy, and empowerment, recognizing that addiction affects everyone—and prevention should too.

• The program is part of a broader effort to move individuals from congregate settings into community life while ensuring they have access to relevant support and education.​