NCJ Number
112735
Journal
Children and Youth Services Review Volume: 10 Issue: 2 Dated: (1988) Pages: 131-149
Date Published
1988
Length
19 pages
Annotation
Primary prevention intervention was used to reduce or prevent the abuse of tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana among black seventh graders in a Chicago inner-city school.
Abstract
The program used information and educational strategies, including practice in problemsolving and decisionmaking and social competency skills training. Peers served as helpers and positive role models. Compared to students in three control classes, students in the two experimental classes showed significant increases in their knowledge of tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana. Knowledge scores of control classes showed similar increases after completion of the program. After completing the program, students also showed more appropriate problemsolving strategies in drug-related, interpersonal conflict situations, including the use of persuasion, bargaining, reasoning, and refusal. Students, however, were still more likely to use indirect, inappropriate approaches (e.g., excuses, avoidant behavior, passivity) in interpersonal problemsolving that was not drug-related. No significant changes in drug use were found. Results suggest that an eight-session drug abuse prevention program can be effective in increasing students' knowledge of drug effects and improving drug-related problemsolving skills. 23 references.