Evaluating An In-School Drug Prevention Program For At-Risk Youth

This study assessed an in-school program aimed at preventing or reducing drug use and other deviant behavior in a sample of 167 at-risk youth in their transition years. Over 10 weeks, 17 one-hour sessions were offered to youth who were identified using a self-report questionnaire (at 9 schools with 12 control sites in Ontario, Canada). Repeated measures analysis of covariance was used to assess program impact at posttest and six-month followup. Program participants, compared with the control group, reported less frequent drinking, cannabis use, nonprescribed tranquilizer or sedative use, and self-reported theft, and improved attitudes toward school (posttest only). They also reported less supportive attitudes toward alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use, and less risky drinking behavior (posttest and follow-up). There were no program effects for ally of the personal and social competence or life skills measures (e.g., self-esteem, social skills).