Assessment of Parent-Led Prevention Programs: A National Descriptive Study

• NCJ Number: 126982
• Journal: Journal of Drug Education Volume: 20 Issue: 2 Dated: (1990) Pages: 111-125
• Author(s): M Klitzner; E Bamberger; P J Gruenewald
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 15 pages
• Grant Number(s): R01-DA03399; AA06282
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health and Human Services; National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper reports on a comprehensive study of the parent movement for the prevention of drug abuse. The study consisted of three related components: mail survey, site visits to 10 existing programs, and telephone interview with parent group members and their children.

Abstract

Key objectives included the history of the existing parent group and their structure and activities; the roles of participants in the groups; and the perceptions of parent, youth, and community leaders of the groups regarding the groups effectiveness. The results indicate that parent-led prevention is an active, but small grass-roots movement composed primarily of middle or upper middle class parent leaders, particularly mothers, with support from community officials and other community parents and youth. Program activities include the range of strategies promoted by the parent movement literature except for the parent peer support groups. The support of community agencies by the parent groups leads to changes in the community regarding substance abuse through strict policy implementation. 10 references (Author abstract modified)