Substance Abuse Prevention: What Works, and Why

• NCJ Number: 235301
• Author(s): Christine Smith; Stacia Langenbahn; Patricia Cole; Joan Kaufman; Andrea Newlyn
• Date Published: 1993
• Length: 27 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Office of National Drug Control Policy
• Corporate Author: Abt Associates, Inc
• Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services; Drug Policy Information Clearinghouse
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This report, written almost 20 years ago, examines substance abuse prevention programs that at that time, appeared to be the most promising for dealing with substance abuse prevention.

Abstract

This report examines 20 programs that appear to provide protective factors against substance abuse while at the same time combating the effects of risk factors for substance abuse. At the time this report was written, substance abuse prevention programs had primarily been large-scale public education campaigns that combined several strategies tailored to a more specific audience within particular communities. This report examines newer approached to prevention that advocate a broader focus that addresses the deep-seated causes of substance abuse. The programs in the report share three important characteristics: comprehensive in approach, positive in focus, and carefully tailored to a clearly defined target population. The 20 programs can be broken down into 5 main categories: school-based programs, peer-based programs; family-based programs; programs based in culturally defined communities; and programs based in geographically defined communities. The report begins with an overview of current research on substance abuse prevention and then provides a detailed examination of the 20 programs. Tables and endnotes