Background: The scientific literature shows that prevention programs, both school-based and media-based can have boomerang effects and increase young people’s curiosity and interest for psychoactive substances. In order to be safe and effective, programs have to be based on effective components, they have to be rigorously evaluated and only if effective, the can be applied on a large scale. To help policy makers, headmasters and teachers in the process of choosing effective programs, and of applying the programs in an effective way, a Guide to successful implementation of Comprehensive Social Influence (CSI) curricula in schools has been written in the frame of EU-Dap project. Methods: The guide “Preventing Substance Abuse Among Students” has been written by an international group of experts from Belgium, Czech Republic, Spain, Greece, Italy, Austria, Poland and Sweden, experienced in drug prevention, and participating in the second phase of the EU-Dap project. It has been revised by a group of external experts, policy makers, headmasters and teachers, and translated in the participating country languages. Its main aim is to promote and help the implementation of CSI curricula in schools. Launched at the beginning of 2008, its effectiveness in promoting the adoption of CSI programs is being evaluated through a pre-post study carried out in the 8 participating countries. In the launch phase, it has being sent to more than 700 European schools, reaching around 52000 students. Results: The guide includes an introduction, three chapters addressing specific audiences (national and local authorities, principals and teachers) and a chapter containing technical tools. The introduction summarizes the EU-Dap trial results and explains the rationale for evidence-based practices in drug prevention. In the first chapter regional and national decision-makers in the public health and education fields are addressed to present benefits of implementing effective CSI programs in schools. The second chapter addresses headmasters and provides guidance on how to chose and implement successfully CSI programs, including scanning the school for readiness, preparing to start as well as implementing and evaluating the initiative. The third chapter is dedicated to teachers who are considering to implement a CSI program as part of the school-based drug prevention curricula, or are requested to do so, and provides instructions for conducting prevention programs in the classroom. The final part contains practical tools useful to plan, implement and evaluate the implementation of the program. Conclusions: The guide “Preventing Substance Abuse among Students” can be an useful tool for decision-makers, headmasters and teachers to implement evidence-based prevention principles into daily school life.
Preventing Substance Abuse among Students. A guide from the EU-Dap project for a successful implementation of Comprehensive Social Influence curricula in schools
VIGNA-TAGLIANTI, Federica;
2008-01-01
Abstract
Background: The scientific literature shows that prevention programs, both school-based and media-based can have boomerang effects and increase young people’s curiosity and interest for psychoactive substances. In order to be safe and effective, programs have to be based on effective components, they have to be rigorously evaluated and only if effective, the can be applied on a large scale. To help policy makers, headmasters and teachers in the process of choosing effective programs, and of applying the programs in an effective way, a Guide to successful implementation of Comprehensive Social Influence (CSI) curricula in schools has been written in the frame of EU-Dap project. Methods: The guide “Preventing Substance Abuse Among Students” has been written by an international group of experts from Belgium, Czech Republic, Spain, Greece, Italy, Austria, Poland and Sweden, experienced in drug prevention, and participating in the second phase of the EU-Dap project. It has been revised by a group of external experts, policy makers, headmasters and teachers, and translated in the participating country languages. Its main aim is to promote and help the implementation of CSI curricula in schools. Launched at the beginning of 2008, its effectiveness in promoting the adoption of CSI programs is being evaluated through a pre-post study carried out in the 8 participating countries. In the launch phase, it has being sent to more than 700 European schools, reaching around 52000 students. Results: The guide includes an introduction, three chapters addressing specific audiences (national and local authorities, principals and teachers) and a chapter containing technical tools. The introduction summarizes the EU-Dap trial results and explains the rationale for evidence-based practices in drug prevention. In the first chapter regional and national decision-makers in the public health and education fields are addressed to present benefits of implementing effective CSI programs in schools. The second chapter addresses headmasters and provides guidance on how to chose and implement successfully CSI programs, including scanning the school for readiness, preparing to start as well as implementing and evaluating the initiative. The third chapter is dedicated to teachers who are considering to implement a CSI program as part of the school-based drug prevention curricula, or are requested to do so, and provides instructions for conducting prevention programs in the classroom. The final part contains practical tools useful to plan, implement and evaluate the implementation of the program. Conclusions: The guide “Preventing Substance Abuse among Students” can be an useful tool for decision-makers, headmasters and teachers to implement evidence-based prevention principles into daily school life.
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