Objective: To test the effectiveness of a drug prevention approach on elementary school students using a model found effective in preventing cigarette smoking, alcohol, and marijuana use with middle school students. The prevention program teaches social resistance skills and general personal and social competence skills. Study design: Nearly 2,000 students in grades 3, 4 and 5 from 20 schools participated in a randomized field trial. Of these, 9 schools were randomly assigned to receive the prevention program, Life Skills Training, and 11 schools were randomly assigned to serve as controls. The program consists of 24 classes taught over three years-8 classes per year. All students were pre-tested and post-tested by questionnaire. Data were analyzed at both the individual-level and school-level. Results: Individual-level analyses showed the intervention students reported less smoking in the past year, higher anti-drinking attitudes, increased substance knowledge and skills related knowledge, lower normative expectations for smoking and alcohol use and higher self-esteem at the posttest assessment relative to control students. School-level analyses showed that annual prevalence rate was 61% lower for smoking and 25% lower for alcohol use at the posttest assessment for intervention students relative to control students. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that a prevention approach previously found to be effective among middle school students was also capable of reducing smoking and alcohol use among elementary school students. It also increased their self-esteem and had a positive impact on other factors related to substance abuse risk. See www.lifeskillstraining.com
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to: Identify components of an effective drug prevention program.
Keywords: Drug Abuse, Prevention
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: National Health Promotion Associates, Inc.
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.