Randi J. Alter, MA¹, Mi Kyung Jun, MPH², and E. Lisako Jones-McKyer, PhD, MPH². (1) Applied Health Science, Indiana University, 2735 E Tenth Street, CA Room 110, Bloomington, IN 47408, 812-855-1237, rjalter@indiana.edu, (2) Indiana Prevention Resource Center, Indiana University, Creative Arts Building Room 110, 2735 East 10th Street, Bloomington, IN 47408

Indiana has developed a comprehensive substance abuse prevention system aimed at reducing problems associated with youth substance abuse. This system involves a variety of prevention-related activities including after-school programming, residential summer camps, and school-based clubs. To evaluate the impact of this system on youth substance abuse, 141,342 students between 6th and 12th grade were surveyed. Students indicating participation in one or more prevention activities were compared to students reporting no participation in such activities. Results revealed that participating youth are less likely to have reported use of a variety of substances than are their non-participating peers. This finding is more pronounced in older youth who have had more opportunity for involvement in substance abuse prevention efforts. To illustrate, monthly prevalence of cigarette (OR = 1.151, p = .030) and marijuana (OR = 1.608, p < .001) use among 9th graders was approximately one and a half times greater for non-participants than participants. Monthly prevalence of cigarette (OR = 1.874, p < .001) and marijuana (OR = 2.391, p <.001) use among 12th graders showed a similar pattern, but with greater differences between participants and non-participants. Findings are in line with the tenets of the Social Development Model and have implications for structuring on-going opportunities for youth involvement in prevention activities.

Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to

• Identify at least one component of Indiana’s prevention system.
• Assess longer-term impact of Indiana youth involvement in prevention programming.

Keywords: Substance Abuse Prevention, Youth

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.