Drug and alcohol programs
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Drug and Alcohol Programs: A Comprehensive Review
School-Based Alcohol and Drug Prevention Programs
Computer and Internet-Based Interventions
The use of technology in school-based alcohol and drug prevention programs has shown promising results. A systematic review identified twelve trials of ten programs facilitated by computers or the Internet. These programs targeted substances such as alcohol, cannabis, and tobacco. Notably, six out of seven programs with available data achieved reductions in substance use post-intervention and/or at follow-up. Additionally, some programs decreased intentions to use tobacco and increased alcohol and drug-related knowledge 1. This suggests that digital platforms can be effective in delivering prevention programs in schools.
Combined Student and Parent-Based Programs
Expanding prevention efforts to include both students and their parents can enhance outcomes. A review of combined student- and parent-based programs found that nine out of ten programs demonstrated significant effects in delaying or reducing adolescent alcohol and drug use. This approach leverages the influence of parental involvement to reinforce the messages delivered in school-based programs 2. The integration of family components appears to be a critical factor in the success of these interventions.
Australian School-Based Programs
In Australia, school-based prevention programs have also shown efficacy. A review of eight trials of seven intervention programs revealed that five programs achieved reductions in alcohol, cannabis, and tobacco use at follow-up. These programs were primarily based on social learning principles and were universally applied across student populations 4. Despite the positive outcomes, the review highlighted the need for further evaluative research to expand and refine these programs.
Alternative High School Youth Programs
Youth in alternative high schools (AHS) are at a higher risk for substance misuse. A review of 23 prevention and cessation program evaluations for AHS youth indicated that successful programs focused on motivation enhancement, life coping skills, and decision-making. These programs were effective when delivered in classrooms or school-based clinics but showed limited success when delivered through other modalities such as computers 6. This underscores the importance of tailored approaches for high-risk populations.
Community and Emergency Department-Based Programs
Community-Based Interventions
Community-based programs also play a vital role in substance use prevention. A narrative review identified several effective school-based programs that also engaged community resources. These programs were effective in increasing attitudes and intentions toward alcohol prevention behavior, reducing social norms and acceptance of alcohol, and increasing awareness of the negative consequences of drinking 3. Community involvement can provide a supportive environment that reinforces the prevention messages delivered in schools.
Emergency Department-Based Programs
An innovative approach to prevention involves exposing youth to the real-life consequences of substance abuse through emergency department visits. A program at the University of New Mexico showed that students who participated in these visits perceived the riskiness of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol to be greater over time compared to a control group 7. This method leverages the impactful, real-world experiences to alter perceptions and behaviors related to substance use.
Conclusion
The landscape of drug and alcohol prevention programs is diverse, encompassing school-based, family-inclusive, community, and digital interventions. Evidence supports the efficacy of these programs in reducing substance use among adolescents. However, there is a need for ongoing research to refine these interventions, particularly for high-risk populations and to explore the potential of digital platforms further. By continuing to innovate and evaluate these programs, we can better address the public health challenge of youth substance use.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
A systematic review of school-based alcohol and other drug prevention programs facilitated by computers or the internet.
School-based alcohol and drug prevention programs facilitated by computers or the Internet show potential in reducing alcohol, cannabis, and tobacco use and future intentions.
Systematic Review
Highly CitedA systematic review of combined student‐ and parent‐based programs to prevent alcohol and other drug use among adolescents
Combined student- and parent-based programs show promising results in preventing alcohol and other drug use among adolescents, but key gaps in the literature need to be addressed for future prevention efforts.
Systematic ReviewHighly CitedPrevention of Alcohol Consumption Programs for Children and Youth: A Narrative and Critical Review of Recent Publications
School-based alcohol prevention programs are clinically relevant and effective in increasing attitudes and intentions towards alcohol prevention, while decreasing social norms and acceptance of alcohol, reducing intoxication, and increasing perceptions of negative consequences of drinking.
Systematic ReviewAustralian school-based prevention programs for alcohol and other drugs: a systematic review.
Australian school-based prevention programs for alcohol, cannabis, and tobacco show promising results in reducing use, challenging the common view that they are ineffective.
Systematic ReviewHighly CitedPrevention of alcohol and other drug use and related harm in the digital age: what does the evidence tell us?
Computer and Internet-based prevention programs show promising results in reducing alcohol and other drug use among adolescents.
Systematic ReviewAlcohol, tobacco, and other drug misuse prevention and cessation programming for alternative high school youth: a review.
Alternative high school youth can effectively prevent and quit alcohol, tobacco, and other drug misuse through classroom or school-based programs, but more research is needed.
Systematic ReviewChanging perceptions of riskiness in drinking, drugs, and driving: an emergency department-based alcohol and substance abuse prevention program.
The ASAP program increased the riskiness of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol in seventh graders, while the control group perceived it as less risky.
RCTDrug and alcohol education programs: a review of outcome studies.
Drug and alcohol education programs have been ineffective in reducing substance abuse and may even worsen drug use among students, while data on adult programs is more encouraging but still inconclusive.
Literature ReviewHighly Cited