Drug and Delinquency Prevention in Independent Schools

• NCJ Number: 166479
• Author(s): L M Haley; F A Scafidi; V Jackson; M Gissen; A Korf
• Date Published: 1995
• Length: 98 pages
• Grant Number(s): 92-JD-CX-0005
• Sponsoring Agency: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)
• Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services; Village South, Inc
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This report recommends ways to increase the effectiveness of school drug prevention programs.

Abstract

A literature review examined correlates of drug use, current prevention methods and their weaknesses, and requirements for successful prevention programs to be implemented in schools. Surveys were conducted with 449 students (21.7 percent male and 78.3 percent female) in grades 7-12, 120 parents, and 163 teachers from eight Miami private (nonpublic) schools. Differences between drug users and non-drug users and between schools with drug prevention programs and those without programs were investigated. Results show that drug users had more drug-using friends and more delinquent involvement. Non-drug users had higher family attachment (they were more likely to turn to parents for help with a drug problem) and higher school attachment (represented by higher satisfaction with teachers). Due to several curriculum weaknesses and implementation problems, the schools with prevention programs in this study did not have lower drug-use rates. Recommendations are offered for improvement in prevention curriculum planning and implementation in both public and private schools. Appended tables and study instruments