NCJ Number
62495
Journal
Evaluation and Program Planning Volume: 2 Issue: 2 Dated: (1979) Pages: 127-136
Date Published
1979
Length
10 pages
Annotation
METHODOLOGY AND RESULTS ARE DESCRIBED FOR AN EVALUATION OF A SCHOOL-ORIENTED DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM.
Abstract
THE PREVENTION PROGRAM EVALUATED WAS IMPLEMENTED IN TWO SEPARATE MIDDLE SCHOOLS SIMULTANEOUSLY SO THAT THE PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS IN THE TWO SCHOOLS COULD BE COMPARED FOR THE FIRST YEAR AND RESULTS FED BACK INTO THE PROGRAM TO IMPROVE THE PROGRAM DURING THE SECOND YEAR. THE SHORT-TERM PROGRAM GOAL WAS TO ENHANCE BEHAVIORS DEEMED INCOMPATIBLE WITH DRUG ABUSE--SCHOOL ATTENDANCE, PROMPTNESS, ACHIEVEMENT AND DISCIPLINE. THE TARGET POPULATION CONSISTED OF STUDENTS WHOSE SCHOOL RECORDS INDICATED THEY WERE 'HIGH RISKS' FOR DRUG ABUSE. EXPERIMENTAL AND CONTROL GROUPS WERE RANDOMLY SELECTED. PROGRAM GOALS WERE DEFINED AND WERE BASED ON THE THEORY THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF ATTITUDES AND EXPERIENCES WHICH WOULD GIVE SUBJECTS A SENSE OF POWER OVER THE EVENTS AFFECTING THEIR LIVES WOULD COUNTER ATTITUDES LIKELY TO DRUG ABUSE. THE PROGRAM WAS DESIGNED TO ACHIEVE THIS OVERALL GOAL, AND OUTCOME MEASURES WERE PLANNED TO FLOW EASILY FROM OPERATIONALLY DEFINED PROBLEM AREAS. MEASURES INCLUDED GRADE IMPROVEMENT, SCHOOL ATTENDANCE, DISCIPLINE PROBLEMS, AND FAMILY PROBLEMS. FIRST YEAR RESULTS SHOWED PROGRAM EFFECTIENESS IN ONE SCHOOL BUT NOT IN THE OTHER. PROCESS ANALYSES INDICATED IMPROVEMENTS THAT COULD BE MADE. IMPLEMENTATION OF THOSE IMPROVEMENTS LET TO GREATER PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS IN THE SECOND YEAR. LED TO GREATER PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS IN THE SECOND YEAR.