Lessons Learned from Implementing School-Based Substance Abuse Prevention Curriculums

This article reports on the lessons learned from a five-year, evidence-based substance abuse prevention initiative conducted in three school districts. Traditional outcome measures yielded no significant program effects, despite the use of an evidence-based curriculum. The failure to find significan...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Children & schools 2006-04, Vol.28 (2), p.77-85
Main Authors: Sobeck, Joanne L., Abbey, Antonia, Agius, Elizabeth
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Comprehensive School Health Education
Conflict Resolution
Curriculum
Curriculum subjects
curriculums
Data collection
Drug education
Drug prevention
Educational programmes
Educational Programs
Educational social work
Effectiveness studies
Evaluators
Evidence based
Evidence Based Practice
evidence-based programs
Fidelity
Health education
implementation
Instructional Effectiveness
Mental Health Programs
Needs Assessment
Outcome Measures
Outcomes of Education
Prevention
Prevention programs
Preventive programmes
Principals
Program Effectiveness
Program Implementation
Research Design
School Districts
School Readiness
School Social Work
School Social Workers
Social Work
Social workers
Stakeholders
Standardized Tests
Student Personnel Workers
Students
Substance Abuse
Suburban Schools
Success
Teacher Improvement
Teacher Qualifications
Teacher Selection
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Description
Summary:This article reports on the lessons learned from a five-year, evidence-based substance abuse prevention initiative conducted in three school districts. Traditional outcome measures yielded no significant program effects, despite the use of an evidence-based curriculum. The failure to find significant statistical results is discussed in terms of four issues that are crucial for successful program implementation: (1) initial selection of an appropriate program, (2) adequate stakeholder involvement and school readiness, (3) attention to program fidelity, and (4) evaluation planning. Based on the literature and the authors' experience, practice implications are offered to maximize the effectiveness of school-based prevention programs.
ISSN:1532-8759
1545-682X
DOI:10.1093/cs/28.2.77