NCJ Number
247202
Date Published
March 2013
Length
137 pages
Annotation
This technical report presents the results of a study on the effects on middle school students of the Too Good for Drugs prevention program.
Abstract
Highlights of the findings from this study on the effectiveness of TGFD (Too Good for Drugs) programs include the following: TGFD treatment was effective for reducing reported 30-day smoking use, alcohol consumption, binge drinking, and marijuana use among high-risk 6th grade; 6 months after treatment, the positive effects from TGFD treatment were still present among high risk students; TGFD treatment had some impact on substance use for low and moderate risk students, but the effects were more limited in scope and time compared to high risk students; and TGFD treatment strengthened the effect of seven identified risk and protective factors for the high risk students, and five of the seven R&P factors for low and moderate risk students. The study also examined the effect of TGFD treatment on students' school achievement levels. The study found that TGFD treatment improved school achievement rates for those students who scored at the lower end of the FCAT (Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test). Data for the study were obtained from the assessment of 6th graders in 40 middle schools in Florida; 20 of the schools were randomly chosen to receive the TGFD prevention program while the other 20 schools were placed in a control group. The findings from this study indicate that the TGFD program is effective at diminishing reported smoking behavior, alcohol consumption, binge drinking, and marijuana use among high risk 6th graders. In addition, the program improves the effectiveness of risk and protective factors to boost student resiliency related to drug use. Study limitations are discussed. Tables, figures, and references