Tara L. West, PhD¹, Araxi P. Macaulay, EdD, MPH², Elizabeth Gronewold, BA¹, Samantha J. H. Ritt, BA¹, and Chris Williams, PhD³. (1) Research Department, National Health Promotion Associates, Inc., 711 Westchester Avenue, White Plains, NY 10604, 914.421.2525, twest@nhpanet.com, (2) Grants and Research, Columbia University and NHPA Inc., 711 Westchester Avenue, White Plains, NY 10604, (3) Research Department, National Health Promotion Associates, Inc, 711 Westchester Avenue, White Plains, NY 10604

Aims: The study’s aim was to assess an educational CD-ROM for 3rd and 4th grade students based on a school-based drug abuse prevention program.

Intro: LifeSkills Training is a school-based substance prevention program targeting students in elementary and middle school. The program’s effectiveness has been well established with over 20 years of rigorous empirical research. The prototype CD-ROM, modeled after the LifeSkills Training program, targets elementary school students and is designed for use in home, at school, and in after-school settings. The resulting materials will facilitate the adoption of an empirically supported drug abuse prevention program in a flexible and engaging format.

Methodology: Thirty 3rd and 4th grade students and their parents were recruited via a newspaper advertisement to preview the ES CD-ROM and participate in a focus group evaluation. The participants assessed the content, language and navigation of the CD-ROM, and reported the extent to which they found the materials interesting, attractive, engaging and flexible. Finally, participants made suggestions for improvement of the CD-ROM. Results: Participants reported finding the CD-ROM to be attractive, engaging, and appropriate, and suggested a change in the music to improve the product.

Conclusions: Innovative multi-media technology combined with sound prevention research could be a powerful tool for drug abuse prevention education among elementary school students. This pilot project offers the potential for extending the reach of the successful LST prevention approach to elementary school students in a variety of settings.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to
• identify novel ways to disseminate drug abuse prevention information using multi-media technology and
• assess the acceptability of a CD-ROM intervention based on evidence-based elementary school program.

Keywords: Substance Abuse Prevention, Technology

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: National Health Promotion Associates, Inc.
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: employment