NCJ Number
143443
Date Published
1991
Length
22 pages
Annotation
Over a 3-year period, an evaluation team assessed the effects of Boys and Girls Clubs on patterns of alcohol and drug use among adolescents living in 15 public housing units in a representative sample of American cities.
Abstract
Youths were divided into three groups, one that did not have access to Boys and Girls Clubs, one that had access to newly established Clubs with a core program and a comprehensive alcohol and drug prevention program known as SMART Moves, and one that had access to older Clubs with a core program that may have included drug prevention programs other than SMART Moves. The results showed that Boys and Girls Clubs exert a significant and positive influence on the human and physical environment of public housing units. Youths who had access to the Clubs were more likely to be involved in constructive educational, social, and recreational activities and to be less involved in deviant and dangerous activities. Parents in communities with Clubs were more involved in youth- oriented activities and school programs than other parents in public housing. Boys and Girls Clubs seemed to be associated with an overall reduction in alcohol and drug use, drug trafficking, and other drug-related crimes. The presence of crack cocaine and the rates of drug dealing activity were lowest in areas that featured the SMART Moves program. Presence of the Clubs encouraged residents to organize and improve their community and enhanced communication between residents, police, housing authority management, and other community groups. 6 figures