Evidence-based prevention is a term used to describe prevention programs, strategies, and policies that have been rigorously tested and proven to be effective in changing adolescent behavior and attitudes towards drug use. These programs are designed to foster a positive learning environment, teach social and emotional skills, promote prosocial behavior, and prevent drug and alcohol use. It is important to consider the history of a program or strategy, as well as the norms of the communities in which it was carried out, when evaluating its effectiveness. When it comes to evidence-based prevention programs, there are many options available. One example is Lions - Quest Lions Quest Skills for Adolescence (SFA).
This comprehensive and universal curriculum is designed for students in grades six through eight. It aims to equip them with the skills they need to make positive decisions and resist peer pressure. Another example is Too Good For Drugs (TGFD): Elementary. This school prevention program is designed for students from kindergarten to twelfth grade and focuses on building resilience by teaching them how to be socially competent and solve problems independently. Guiding Good Choices is another evidence-based drug use prevention program.
It provides parents of children in grades four through eight (ages 9 to 14) with the knowledge and skills needed to guide their children through the early teen years. Respond Peacefully & Positive Ways (RIPP) is a school-based violence prevention program for high school students that teaches positive communication skills. LifeSkills, Strengthening Families Program, and Guiding Good Choices are some other examples of evidence-based prevention programs that require the purchase of a curriculum or training, either in person or via the web. In addition to these programs, there are several federal agencies that have collected information on evidence-based substance use disorder (SUD) prevention programs in rural communities that focus on youth and families. The Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) maintains a registry of approved evidence-based programs that providers should use in providing preventive services.
Second Step: Elementary School Grades K-5 is a universal classroom-based program for children from kindergarten to fifth grade that is designed to increase school success and decrease behavior problems by promoting social-emotional competence and self-regulation.
The Benefits of Evidence-Based Prevention Programs
For those who want to be involved in preventing substance abuse and improving mental health, it is better to use evidence-based prevention programs than to rely on conjectures, anecdotes, policies, or any other new or popular program. Evidence-based prevention programs have been rigorously tested and proven to be effective in changing adolescent behavior and attitudes towards drug use. There are several databases and registries that list prevention programs and whether they are evidence-based, ineffective, or somewhere in between. It is important to evaluate the tools used to measure the effectiveness of a program or practice, how strong that evidence is, and whether there is evidence that external factors influenced program outcomes. Evidence-based prevention programs can help reduce substance abuse among adolescents by providing them with the knowledge and skills they need to make positive decisions and resist peer pressure.Conclusion
Evidence-based prevention programs are an important tool for preventing substance abuse among adolescents.These programs have been rigorously tested and proven to be effective in changing adolescent behavior and attitudes towards drug use. They provide parents with the knowledge and skills needed to guide their children through the early teen years, as well as equip students with the skills they need to make positive decisions and resist peer pressure.
