The study investigates the effectiveness and appropriateness of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Keepin' it REAL (KiR) curriculum--America's most prevalent in-school prevention programme--using a modified systematic review procedure as adapted from the Cochrane Handbook. No published studies research the D.A.R.E. version of KiR, and…

Background: Considerable attention has been focused on the impact of young people's alcohol use. To address this, schools often implement alcohol and drug education and there are many potential programmes to choose from. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify evidence-based alcohol education programmes for schools. Methods: A systematic…

Longitudinal trajectories for HIV risk were examined over 5 years following treatment among 1,393 patients who participated in the nationwide Drug Abuse Treatment Outcome Studies. Both injection drug use and sexual risk behavior declined over time, with most of the decline occurring between intake and the first-year follow-up. However, results of…

Surveys recent research findings on drug education programs in the United States. Notes that findings have been somewhat contradictory but that pattern of encouraging results seems to favor prevention programs that focus on resistance training. Results were complimentary of Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) and Student Assistance Program…

Reviewed evaluation studies of school-based drug prevention programs published from 1993-99 to identify significant program features that could influence the success of drug prevention education. Results found that programs components varied significantly. Programs employing a social-influence model varied in their effectiveness depending on the…

The field of drug and alcohol abuse prevention is still in its infancy, but has come a long way since the first prevention approach was adopted in the late 1960's. Despite the weaknesses of past curricula and the problems still to be addressed, prevention curricula are becoming more effective as time goes on. There is much that has been learned…

This document reviews literature which analyzes factors of adolescent drug use/abuse and the effectiveness of various drug abuse prevention programs. After a brief introduction to the topic of drug abuse, 16 terms such as "adolescence" and "drug abuse" are defined. Ten papers and articles on the topic of motivations and factors for drug use are…

Reports that it is easier to increase drug/alcohol knowledge than to modify attitudes. Many studies show no effects of drug education on drug use, a few studies show drug education reduces use, and other studies show use increases with drug education. Suggests more effective approaches are needed. (AH)

In spring 1996, Drug Strategies, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization published results of an evaluation of 47 substance-abuse prevention programs. The evaluation used criteria based on empirical research findings. This article outlines the elements of effective drug-prevention programs and highlights the six programs that earned As in…

Research has demonstrated that while it is relatively easy to increase drug knowledge, it is more difficult to modify attitudes. Reviews studies and examines the existing evidence regarding the effectiveness of drug education. The largest number of studies found no effects of drug education upon use. (RC)

Discusses systems theory applied to alcoholism programing which enables programers to analyze a project for maximum system effectiveness. It is suggested that generating scarce resources, especially clients, and having appropriate services, calls for extensive interorganizational linkages and for sensitive interaction with the environment. (Author)

This review examined school-based drug abuse prevention programs for 1989-94. From a literature review and interviews with a panel of experts in prevention research, 11 key components of effective prevention curricula were identified. These components are listed and discussed briefly. Dissemination of effective prevention programs is discussed.…

This report presents findings of a project that identified and examined three communities where schools have successfully reduced discipline problems and improved learning and behavior of all students, including those with disabilities. Site visits by a research team and expert panels (including both lay community members and professionals) were…

Examines drug-prevention programs in the United Kingdom and the United States which have included parents within their intervention strategies. Reviews implications for practice, describes a small number of model programs, and identifies critical issues for policy and practice regarding identifying, recruiting, and retaining parents within the…