NCJ Number
165624
Date Published
1997
Length
31 pages
Annotation
A 5-year longitudinal study was initiated in 1990 to examine school and community programs to prevent alcohol and other drug use by school-aged youth and to assess the effectiveness of school-based prevention programs in school districts receiving funds through the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act.
Abstract
Comprehensive school-based prevention programs were defined as those having prevention instruction in all schools and in all grades, at least three components or activities in addition to classroom instruction to reduce drug use risk factors, community involvement, and training for staff who provided prevention instruction and activities. A sample of about 10,000 students annually was surveyed for 4 years, and program implementation data were obtained from schools they attended. Findings revealed student outcomes were somewhat better in school districts where prevention programs had greater stability over time and in school districts with more extensive program components, including student support services. Students who said they participated in prevention-related classroom and/or special school-wide events had better outcomes. Few schools employed program approaches that were found to be effective in previous research. Program delivery was variable and inconsistent, even within schools, and programs employed multiple components. Student behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes about drugs mirrored national trends, Alcohol was the most widely used drug at any grade level, and it was also the first drug most students used. Students believed their peers approved of drugs more than they themselves did, drug use was related to violent behavior in schools, and students who said they had positive school experiences were significantly less likely to use drugs than their peers who had negative school experiences. Activities associated with lower drug use included sports and exercise, volunteer work, and spending more than 2 hours per day on homework. The authors conclude that, given the relatively small impact of programs, larger social influences need to be addressed in rethinking drug prevention efforts. 16 footnotes and 11 exhibits