NCJ Number
54166
Date Published
1977
Length
28 pages
Annotation
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM IN NEW YORK CITY, THE SCHOOL PREVENTION OF ADDICTION THROUGH REHABILITATION AND KNOWLEDGE (SPARK), IS EVALUATED IN THIS REPORT.
Abstract
IN THE SPRING OF 1977, SPARK SURVEYED 3,893 STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAM FROM SEPTEMBER 1976 THROUGH JANUARY 1977. UTILIZING THESE DATA, AN ANALYSIS WAS MADE OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF SPARK PARTICIPANTS, DRUG USE AND PREVALENCE PATTERNS OF PARTICIPANTS, AND BEHAVIORAL CHANGES AMONG THE SUBJECTS. IN ADDITION, STAFF MEMBERS FROM THE DIVISION OF COST EFFECTIVENESS AND RESEARCH CONDUCTED INTERVIEWS OF STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM AND OBSERVED GROUP SESSIONS LED BY DRUG EDUCATION SPECIALISTS. FINDINGS PRESENTED IN THIS REPORT PROVIDE STRONG EVIDENCE OF THE OVERALL EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SPARK PROGRAM. IT IS APPARENT THAT STUDENTS USED DRUGS LESS FREQUENTLY AFTER PARTICIPATING IN THE SPARK PROGRAM. DAILY USE OF DRUGS (EXCEPT CIGARETTES) DECREASED BY 50 PERCENT. SIMILARLY, THE USE OF ALCOHOL DECLINED 9 PERCENT AFTER PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM. SCHOOL RECORDS OF SPARK PARTICIPANTS REFLECT AN 18 PERCENT REDUCTION IN STUDENTS REPORTED TO THE DEAN FOR POOR CONDUCT AND 16 PERCENT DECLINE IN ABSENTEEISM. STUDENT SELF-IMAGES WERE ALSO SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED AMONG SPARK PARTICIPANTS. CRUCIAL TO THE SUCCESS OF THE SPARK PROGRAM ARE THE ACTIVITIES, TRAINING, AND RAPPORT WITH STUDENTS OF THE DRUG EDUCATION SPECIALIST, AS WELL AS THE CENTRAL MANAGEMENT OF THE PROGRAM. SELECTED QUOTATIONS FROM SPARK STUDENTS ARE INCLUDED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INSIGHTS INTO THE PROGRAM'S EFFECTIVENESS IN CHANGING STUDENTS' ATTITUDES. TABULAR DATA AND CHARTS ACCOMPANY THE TEXT. (WJR)