Piloting of the Just Say Know prevention program: a psychoeducational approach to translating the neuroscience of addiction to youth.
Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse
; 47(1): 16-25, 2021 01 02.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-32687415
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Substance use during adolescence can have a number of negative consequences and interfere with normal brain development. Given limited time and resources, brief group- and school-based prevention programs are an efficient strategy for educating youth about the effects of substance use on health outcomes.OBJECTIVES:
To determine if a science-based, interactive substance prevention program could improve student knowledge and influence students' attitudes toward future substance use behaviors.METHODS:
The Just Say Know program was given to 1,594 middle and high school students. The facilitator engaged students in an interactive, hour-long session covering brain basics and effects of substance use. Students completed an eight-item pre- and post-knowledge-based test to measure learning outcomes along with feedback questions about youths' attitudes toward substance use and the program.RESULTS:
After the program, 94% of students reported that it provided helpful information; 92% reported it may influence their approach to substance use, with 76% specifying that they would delay or cut back on substance use. Knowledge-based test performance increased by 78%, with high schoolers displaying significantly higher scores than middle schoolers, but both showing similar improvements in scores. Students who reported higher levels of friends' substance use had smaller improvements from pre- to posttest.CONCLUSION:
Results suggest Just Say Know, a scientifically-based prevention program, is effective in increasing adolescents' program based-knowledge, has the potential to affect youths' attitudes toward substance use, and is well-received. These findings provide preliminary evidence that a cost-effective, neuroscience-informed group prevention program might reduce or delay adolescents' future substance use.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Estudiantes
/
Conducta del Adolescente
/
Trastornos Relacionados con Sustancias
Tipo de estudio:
Evaluation_studies
Límite:
Adolescent
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse
Año:
2021
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos