Guide for Drug Prevention Programs

Six of 47 national school drug programs earned an “A” grade in a

report issued by Drug Strategies, “a leading national organization

that promotes effective approaches to the nation’s drug problems,”

writes a DRUG STRATEGIES press release.

“Drug abuse prevention programs require a balance of critical

elements to succeed,” said Mathea Falco, president of Drug

Strategies. “Different programs may emphasize different elements but,

as in cooking, they can’t leave out an ingredient or skip a step and

still produce good results.

Consistency and complete implementation are the keys to success.

“Making the Grade: A Guide to School Drug Prevention Programs” lists

several criteria for a good drug prevention program:

• helps students recognize internal pressures (anxiety and stress) and

  external pressures (peer attitudes and advertising;)

• develops personal and social refusal skills to resist these

  pressures;

• provides developmentally appropriate material and activities;
• covers necessary prevention elements in at least ten sessions a

  year, with a minimum of three to five booster sessions in two

  succeeding years;

• includes teacher training and support; and contains material that is

  easy for teachers to implement and culturally relevant for students.

The report examines K-12 school drug prevention programs.

Michigan Model, a comprehensive health program, is one of the six

programs that received an “A” grade. The K-8 program contains 40 to

60 lessons per year, which includes coverage of tobacco, alcohol and

drugs. According to the report, Michigan Model stresses resistance

skills training “within the context of social and personal skills

training.” It also provides “excellent” teacher training and

“sufficient opportunities for student practice.” Michigan Model is

run by the Michigan Department of Public Health.

The organization operating the program, address and phone number

are provided for each of the 47 programs evaluated.

The report is available for $12.95 per copy (or $9.95 per

copy for order of five or more) from Drug Strategies; 2445 M

Street NW; Suite 480; Washington, D.C. 20037.

– Gene Bedley