NCJ Number
124586
Journal
Journal of Drug Education Volume: 19 Issue: 4 Dated: (1989) Pages: 327-335
Date Published
1989
Length
9 pages
Annotation
A pilot student assistance program (SAP) was established and conducted in an urban high school in New Jersey for 2 semesters.
Abstract
The community had a median household income of less than $15,000. Seventy percent of the high school students were black, 25 percent were Hispanic, 4 percent were white, and 1 percent were of other races. The Education and Training Division of the Center for Alcohol Studies at Rutgers University hired a young black male counselor to conduct the program and provided alcohol awareness sessions for school administrators, teachers, and parents. The SAP counselor was housed in the school nurse's office due to its accessibility and the assurance of anonymity and confidentiality. The program operated for 20 hours per week. The counselor also made extensive efforts to get to know students and teachers. Analysis of program results showed that the proportion of students using the SAP increased with time, with males outnumbering females in the use of the program. The most common presenting problems were alcohol and drug issues. Educators were the main source of referrals to the SAP. Results suggested the desirability of increasing the number of hours, making efforts to attract more females and older students to the program, motivating more referrals from friends and parents, and evaluating the program on the basis of student grades and attendance. Tables and 10 references.